Fawcetts Plain vs Homeleigh: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Fawcetts Plain and Homeleigh are both Kyogle rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 614.4 km and 613.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Homeleigh runs $450 a year cheaper than Fawcetts Plain, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,159.
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 →Fawcetts Plain
Homeleigh
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fawcetts Plain | Homeleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,320 | $1,320 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,000 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,670 | $22,220 | +$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,470 | $7,020 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Fawcetts Plain | Homeleigh | 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 — Fawcetts Plain vs Homeleigh (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Homeleigh costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,159 in favour of Homeleigh.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Fawcetts Plain carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,470 from Fawcetts Plain versus $7,020 from Homeleigh.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fawcetts Plain cumulative | Homeleigh cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,670 | $22,220 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $70,071 | $68,680 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $120,358 | $117,969 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $259,886 | $254,727 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fawcetts Plain or Homeleigh cheaper to live in?
Homeleigh is cheaper to run by car at $22,220 per year versus $22,670 for Fawcetts Plain, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fawcetts Plain and Homeleigh?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,320 in Fawcetts Plain (Kyogle rates (OLG) and $1,320 in Homeleigh (Kyogle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Fawcetts Plain and $1,300 in Homeleigh. 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 Fawcetts Plain and Homeleigh?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Fawcetts Plain and $17,600 from Homeleigh to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fawcetts Plain and $2,400 from Homeleigh.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fawcetts Plain and Homeleigh?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fawcetts Plain costs a cumulative $259,886 and Homeleigh costs $254,727 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of Homeleigh. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fawcetts Plain and Homeleigh 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: Kyogle rates (OLG and Kyogle 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.