East Wardell vs Goat Island: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
East Wardell and Goat Island 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.
East Wardell runs $400 a year cheaper than Goat Island, 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 →East Wardell
Goat Island
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | East Wardell | Goat Island | 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 | $3,100 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,984 | $24,384 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,184 | $8,584 | -$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 | East Wardell | Goat Island | 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 — East Wardell vs Goat Island (2026-27)
What the numbers show
East Wardell 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 East Wardell.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Goat Island carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,184 from East Wardell versus $8,584 from Goat Island.
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 East Wardell by $400 a year, $3,100 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.
Fire risk is rated high in Goat Island against medium in East Wardell, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | East Wardell cumulative | Goat Island cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,984 | $24,384 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $74,132 | $75,369 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $127,334 | $129,458 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $274,950 | $279,535 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is East Wardell or Goat Island cheaper to live in?
East Wardell is cheaper to run by car at $23,984 per year versus $24,384 for Goat Island, 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 East Wardell and Goat Island?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in East Wardell (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,384 in Goat Island (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in East Wardell and $1,300 in Goat Island. 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 East Wardell and Goat Island?
East 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. Goat Island 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 East Wardell and $2,400 from Goat Island.
What is the 10-year cost difference between East Wardell and Goat Island?
At 3% annual cost growth, East Wardell costs a cumulative $274,950 and Goat Island costs $279,535 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of East Wardell. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of East Wardell and Goat Island 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.