Coolgardie vs Wardell: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coolgardie and Wardell are both Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Coolgardie runs $1,050 a year cheaper than Wardell, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,037.
Over 10 years, Coolgardie costs about $12,000 less to run than Wardell — the same as paying $12,000 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 →Coolgardie
Wardell
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coolgardie | Wardell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,384 | $1,384 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $3,500 | -$1,050 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,334 | $24,384 | -$1,050 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,534 | $8,584 | -$1,050 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Coolgardie | Wardell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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 — Coolgardie vs Wardell (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coolgardie costs $1,050 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,037 in favour of Coolgardie.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,050 per year. Wardell carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,050 per year, $7,534 from Coolgardie versus $8,584 from Wardell.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,384 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Coolgardie by $1,050 a year, $2,450 against $3,500.
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 high in Wardell against medium in Coolgardie, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Wardell against medium in Coolgardie, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coolgardie cumulative | Wardell cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,334 | $24,384 | $1,050 |
| Year 3 | $72,123 | $75,369 | $3,246 |
| Year 5 | $123,883 | $129,458 | $5,575 |
| Year 10 | $267,498 | $279,535 | $12,037 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coolgardie or Wardell cheaper to live in?
Coolgardie is cheaper to run by car at $23,334 per year versus $24,384 for Wardell, a difference of $1,050 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coolgardie and Wardell?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Coolgardie (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,384 in Wardell (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Coolgardie and $1,300 in Wardell. 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 Coolgardie and Wardell?
Coolgardie 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. Wardell 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 Coolgardie and $2,400 from Wardell.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coolgardie and Wardell?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coolgardie costs a cumulative $267,498 and Wardell costs $279,535 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,037 in favour of Coolgardie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coolgardie and Wardell 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: Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in and Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in 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.