Donnellyville vs Warrell 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
Donnellyville and Warrell Creek are both Nambucca Valley rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 381.4 km and 378.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Donnellyville
Warrell Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Donnellyville | Warrell Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,175 | $1,175 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,450 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,525 | $22,525 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,325 | $7,325 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Donnellyville | Warrell Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
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 — Donnellyville vs Warrell Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Donnellyville and Warrell Creek cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,325 and $7,325 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Donnellyville cumulative | Warrell Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,525 | $22,525 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $69,623 | $69,623 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $119,588 | $119,588 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $258,224 | $258,224 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Donnellyville or Warrell Creek cheaper to live in?
Donnellyville is cheaper to run by car at $22,525 per year versus $22,525 for Warrell Creek, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Donnellyville and Warrell Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,175 in Donnellyville (Nambucca Valley rates (OLG) and $1,175 in Warrell Creek (Nambucca Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Donnellyville and $1,300 in Warrell 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 Donnellyville and Warrell Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Donnellyville and $17,600 from Warrell Creek to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Donnellyville and $2,400 from Warrell Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Donnellyville and Warrell Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Donnellyville costs a cumulative $258,224 and Warrell Creek costs $258,224 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Donnellyville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Donnellyville and Warrell 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.
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Sources: Nambucca Valley rates (OLG and Nambucca Valley 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.