Cabbage Tree Island vs Goat Island: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cabbage Tree Island and Goat Island are both Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in suburbs, sitting 583.9 km and 583 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cabbage Tree Island runs $400 a year cheaper than Goat Island, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Cabbage Tree Island
Goat Island
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cabbage Tree Island | Goat Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,384 | $1,384 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,384 | $23,784 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,184 | $8,584 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cabbage Tree Island | Goat Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Cabbage Tree Island vs Goat Island (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cabbage Tree Island costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Cabbage Tree Island.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Goat Island carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,184 from Cabbage Tree Island versus $8,584 from Goat Island.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cabbage Tree Island cumulative | Goat Island cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,384 | $23,784 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $72,278 | $73,514 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $124,149 | $126,272 | $2,123 |
| Year 10 | $268,071 | $272,657 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cabbage Tree Island or Goat Island cheaper to live in?
Cabbage Tree Island is cheaper to run by car at $23,384 per year versus $23,784 for Goat Island, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cabbage Tree Island and Goat Island?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Cabbage Tree Island (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,384 in Goat Island (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Cabbage Tree Island and $1,300 in Goat Island. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Cabbage Tree Island and Goat Island?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Cabbage Tree Island and $17,600 from Goat Island to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cabbage Tree Island and $2,400 from Goat Island.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cabbage Tree Island and Goat Island?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cabbage Tree Island costs a cumulative $268,071 and Goat Island costs $272,657 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Cabbage Tree Island. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cabbage Tree Island and Goat Island is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in and Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.