Cumbandry vs Yarrawonga: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cumbandry and Yarrawonga are both Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cumbandry runs $400 a year cheaper than Yarrawonga, 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 →Cumbandry
Yarrawonga
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cumbandry | Yarrawonga | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,122 | $1,122 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,622 | $23,022 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,822 | $7,222 | -$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 | Cumbandry | Yarrawonga | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,115 | $3,115 | - |
| Unit | $2,585 | $2,585 | - |
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 — Cumbandry vs Yarrawonga (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cumbandry 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 Cumbandry.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $6,822 from Cumbandry versus $7,222 from Yarrawonga.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,122 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Cumbandry 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 Yarrawonga against medium in Cumbandry, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cumbandry cumulative | Yarrawonga cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,622 | $23,022 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $69,922 | $71,159 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $120,103 | $122,227 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $259,336 | $263,921 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cumbandry or Yarrawonga cheaper to live in?
Cumbandry is cheaper to run by car at $22,622 per year versus $23,022 for Yarrawonga, 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 Cumbandry and Yarrawonga?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,122 in Cumbandry (Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG) and $1,122 in Yarrawonga (Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Cumbandry and $1,300 in Yarrawonga. 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 Cumbandry and Yarrawonga?
Cumbandry 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. Yarrawonga 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 Cumbandry and $2,400 from Yarrawonga.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cumbandry and Yarrawonga?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cumbandry costs a cumulative $259,336 and Yarrawonga costs $263,921 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Cumbandry. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cumbandry and Yarrawonga 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-Western Regional rates (OLG and Mid-Western Regional 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.