Collombatti vs Skillion Flat: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Collombatti and Skillion Flat are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 352.7 km and 349.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Skillion Flat runs $1,100 a year cheaper than Collombatti, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,610.
Over 10 years, Skillion Flat costs about $12,600 less to run than Collombatti — the same as paying $12,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Collombatti
Skillion Flat
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Collombatti | Skillion Flat | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,492 | $1,492 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $2,400 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,892 | $22,792 | +$1,100 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,692 | $7,592 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Collombatti | Skillion Flat | 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 — Collombatti vs Skillion Flat (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Skillion Flat costs $1,100 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,610 in favour of Skillion Flat.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Collombatti carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $8,692 from Collombatti versus $7,592 from Skillion Flat.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Collombatti cumulative | Skillion Flat cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,892 | $22,792 | $1,100 |
| Year 3 | $73,848 | $70,448 | $3,400 |
| Year 5 | $126,846 | $121,006 | $5,840 |
| Year 10 | $273,895 | $261,285 | $12,610 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Collombatti or Skillion Flat cheaper to live in?
Skillion Flat is cheaper to run by car at $22,792 per year versus $23,892 for Collombatti, a difference of $1,100 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Collombatti and Skillion Flat?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Collombatti (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in Skillion Flat (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Collombatti and $1,300 in Skillion Flat. 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 Collombatti and Skillion Flat?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Collombatti and $17,600 from Skillion Flat to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Collombatti and $2,400 from Skillion Flat.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Collombatti and Skillion Flat?
At 3% annual cost growth, Collombatti costs a cumulative $273,895 and Skillion Flat costs $261,285 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,610 in favour of Skillion Flat. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Collombatti and Skillion Flat 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: Kempsey rates (OLG and Kempsey 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.