East Wardell vs Patchs Beach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
East Wardell and Patchs Beach are both Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in suburbs, sitting 585.6 km and 589.3 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.
East Wardell
Patchs Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | East Wardell | Patchs Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,384 | $1,384 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,384 | $23,384 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,184 | $8,184 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | East Wardell | Patchs Beach | 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 — East Wardell vs Patchs Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
East Wardell and Patchs Beach 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, $8,184 and $8,184 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | East Wardell cumulative | Patchs Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,384 | $23,384 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,278 | $72,278 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $124,149 | $124,149 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $268,071 | $268,071 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is East Wardell or Patchs Beach cheaper to live in?
East Wardell is cheaper to run by car at $23,384 per year versus $23,384 for Patchs Beach, 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 East Wardell and Patchs Beach?
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 Patchs Beach (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in East Wardell and $1,300 in Patchs Beach. 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 Patchs Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from East Wardell and $17,600 from Patchs Beach to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from East Wardell and $2,400 from Patchs Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between East Wardell and Patchs Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, East Wardell costs a cumulative $268,071 and Patchs Beach costs $268,071 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of East Wardell. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of East Wardell and Patchs Beach 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.