East Wardell vs Wardell: 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 Wardell are both Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in suburbs, sitting 585.6 km and 586.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
East Wardell runs $400 a year cheaper than Wardell, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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
Wardell
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | East Wardell | Wardell | 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 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,384 | $23,784 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,184 | $8,584 | -$400 |
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 | Wardell | 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 Wardell (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 $4,586 in favour of East Wardell.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Wardell 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 Wardell.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | East Wardell cumulative | Wardell cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,384 | $23,784 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $72,278 | $73,514 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $124,149 | $126,272 | $2,123 |
| Year 10 | $268,071 | $272,657 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is East Wardell or Wardell cheaper to live in?
East Wardell is cheaper to run by car at $23,384 per year versus $23,784 for Wardell, a difference of $400 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 Wardell?
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 Wardell (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in East Wardell 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 East Wardell and Wardell?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from East Wardell and $17,600 from Wardell to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from East Wardell and $2,400 from Wardell.
What is the 10-year cost difference between East Wardell and Wardell?
At 3% annual cost growth, East Wardell costs a cumulative $268,071 and Wardell costs $272,657 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of East Wardell. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of East Wardell 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.