Coneac vs Rookhurst: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coneac and Rookhurst are both Mid-Coast rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rookhurst runs $400 a year cheaper than Coneac, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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 →Coneac
Rookhurst
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coneac | Rookhurst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,609 | $1,609 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,509 | $23,109 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,709 | $7,309 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Coneac | Rookhurst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,827 | $2,827 | - |
| Unit | $2,369 | $2,369 | - |
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 — Coneac vs Rookhurst (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rookhurst costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Rookhurst.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,709 from Coneac versus $7,309 from Rookhurst.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,609 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Rookhurst by $400 a year, $2,000 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.
Fire risk is rated high in Coneac against medium in Rookhurst, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coneac cumulative | Rookhurst cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,509 | $23,109 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $72,664 | $71,428 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $124,812 | $122,689 | $2,123 |
| Year 10 | $269,504 | $264,919 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coneac or Rookhurst cheaper to live in?
Rookhurst is cheaper to run by car at $23,109 per year versus $23,509 for Coneac, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coneac and Rookhurst?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Coneac (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Rookhurst (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Coneac and $1,300 in Rookhurst. 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 Coneac and Rookhurst?
Coneac 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. Rookhurst 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 Coneac and $2,400 from Rookhurst.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coneac and Rookhurst?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coneac costs a cumulative $269,504 and Rookhurst costs $264,919 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Rookhurst. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coneac and Rookhurst 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.
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Sources: Mid-Coast rates (OLG and Mid-Coast 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.