Chowan Creek vs Upper Burringbar: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chowan Creek and Upper Burringbar are both Tweed rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 636.6 km and 638.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Chowan Creek
Upper Burringbar
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chowan Creek | Upper Burringbar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,799 | $1,799 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,099 | $23,099 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,899 | $7,899 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Chowan Creek | Upper Burringbar | 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 — Chowan Creek vs Upper Burringbar (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chowan Creek and Upper Burringbar cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,899 and $7,899 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chowan Creek cumulative | Upper Burringbar cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,099 | $23,099 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $71,397 | $71,397 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $122,636 | $122,636 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $264,804 | $264,804 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chowan Creek or Upper Burringbar cheaper to live in?
Chowan Creek is cheaper to run by car at $23,099 per year versus $23,099 for Upper Burringbar, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chowan Creek and Upper Burringbar?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,799 in Chowan Creek (Tweed rates (OLG) and $1,799 in Upper Burringbar (Tweed rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Chowan Creek and $1,300 in Upper Burringbar. 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 Chowan Creek and Upper Burringbar?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Chowan Creek and $17,600 from Upper Burringbar to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Chowan Creek and $2,400 from Upper Burringbar.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chowan Creek and Upper Burringbar?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chowan Creek costs a cumulative $264,804 and Upper Burringbar costs $264,804 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Chowan Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chowan Creek and Upper Burringbar 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: Tweed rates (OLG and Tweed rates (OLG 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.