Caerleon vs Putta Bucca, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Caerleon and Putta Bucca are both Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $100 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $1,100, about $2 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Putta Bucca
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caerleon | Putta Bucca | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,122 | $1,122 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,650 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,172 | $22,272 | -$100 |
| Total (public transport) | $22,172 | $22,272 | -$100 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Caerleon | Putta Bucca | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,115 | $3,115 | - |
| Unit | $2,585 | $2,585 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Caerleon vs Putta Bucca (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Caerleon and Putta Bucca differ by $100 a year by car, but $100 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $0, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $100 per year. Putta Bucca carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $22,172 and $22,272 a year, so the $100 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,122 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Caerleon by $100 a year, $1,550 against $1,650.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Putta Bucca against low in Caerleon, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Caerleon against low in Putta Bucca, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caerleon cumulative | Putta Bucca cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,172 | $22,272 | $100 |
| Year 3 | $68,531 | $68,841 | $310 |
| Year 5 | $117,714 | $118,245 | $531 |
| Year 10 | $254,177 | $255,324 | $1,147 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caerleon or Putta Bucca cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Caerleon runs $22,172 a year by car and Putta Bucca $22,272, but most of the $100 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $0. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Caerleon and Putta Bucca?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,122 in Caerleon (Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG) and $1,122 in Putta Bucca (Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Caerleon and $1,300 in Putta Bucca. 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 Caerleon and Putta Bucca?
Caerleon carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Putta Bucca carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Caerleon and Putta Bucca?
At 3% annual cost growth, Caerleon costs a cumulative $254,177 and Putta Bucca costs $255,324 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,147 in favour of Caerleon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caerleon and Putta Bucca suits you better?
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Sources: Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG and Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.