Comberton vs Falls Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Comberton and Falls Creek are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 135.1 km and 136.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Falls Creek runs $450 a year cheaper than Comberton, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,159.
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 →Comberton
Falls Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Comberton | Falls Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,400 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,297 | $22,847 | +$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,097 | $7,647 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Comberton | Falls Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Comberton vs Falls Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Falls Creek costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,159 in favour of Falls Creek.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Comberton carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $8,097 from Comberton versus $7,647 from Falls Creek.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Comberton cumulative | Falls Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,297 | $22,847 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $72,009 | $70,618 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $123,687 | $121,298 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $267,074 | $261,915 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Comberton or Falls Creek cheaper to live in?
Falls Creek is cheaper to run by car at $22,847 per year versus $23,297 for Comberton, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Comberton and Falls Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Comberton (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Falls Creek (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Comberton and $1,300 in Falls Creek. 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 Comberton and Falls Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Comberton and $17,600 from Falls Creek to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Comberton and $2,400 from Falls Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Comberton and Falls Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Comberton costs a cumulative $267,074 and Falls Creek costs $261,915 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of Falls Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Comberton and Falls Creek 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: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Shoalhaven 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.