Falbrook vs Middle Falbrook: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Falbrook and Middle Falbrook are both Singleton rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 161.3 km and 158.7 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.
Falbrook
Middle Falbrook
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Falbrook | Middle Falbrook | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,241 | $22,241 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,041 | $7,041 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Falbrook | Middle Falbrook | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Falbrook vs Middle Falbrook (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Falbrook and Middle Falbrook 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, $7,041 and $7,041 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Falbrook cumulative | Middle Falbrook cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,241 | $22,241 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $68,745 | $68,745 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $118,080 | $118,080 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $254,968 | $254,968 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Falbrook or Middle Falbrook cheaper to live in?
Falbrook is cheaper to run by car at $22,241 per year versus $22,241 for Middle Falbrook, 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 Falbrook and Middle Falbrook?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Falbrook (Singleton rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Middle Falbrook (Singleton rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Falbrook and $1,300 in Middle Falbrook. 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 Falbrook and Middle Falbrook?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Falbrook and $17,600 from Middle Falbrook to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Falbrook and $2,400 from Middle Falbrook.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Falbrook and Middle Falbrook?
At 3% annual cost growth, Falbrook costs a cumulative $254,968 and Middle Falbrook costs $254,968 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Falbrook. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Falbrook and Middle Falbrook 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: Singleton rates (OLG and Singleton 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.