Combo vs Fern Gully: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Combo and Fern Gully are both Singleton rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $250 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 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 →Combo
Fern Gully
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Combo | Fern Gully | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,400 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,991 | $23,241 | -$250 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,191 | $7,441 | -$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Combo | Fern Gully | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,615 | $2,615 | - |
| Unit | $2,113 | $2,113 | - |
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 — Combo vs Fern Gully (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Combo and Fern Gully cost within $250 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,866, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,191 from Combo versus $7,441 from Fern Gully.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,341 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Combo by $250 a year, $2,150 against $2,400.
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 Combo against low in Fern Gully, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Fern Gully against low in Combo, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Combo cumulative | Fern Gully cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,991 | $23,241 | $250 |
| Year 3 | $71,063 | $71,836 | $773 |
| Year 5 | $122,062 | $123,390 | $1,328 |
| Year 10 | $263,566 | $266,432 | $2,866 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Combo or Fern Gully cheaper to live in?
Combo is cheaper to run by car at $22,991 per year versus $23,241 for Fern Gully, a difference of $250 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Combo and Fern Gully?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Combo (Singleton rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Fern Gully (Singleton rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Combo and $1,300 in Fern Gully. 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 Combo and Fern Gully?
Combo 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. Fern Gully 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. Public transport costs $2,400 from Combo and $2,400 from Fern Gully.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Combo and Fern Gully?
At 3% annual cost growth, Combo costs a cumulative $263,566 and Fern Gully costs $266,432 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,866 in favour of Combo. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Combo and Fern Gully 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: Singleton rates (OLG and Singleton rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.