Fernleigh vs Knockrow: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Fernleigh and Knockrow 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.
Fernleigh runs $800 a year cheaper than Knockrow, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,172.
Over 10 years, Fernleigh costs about $9,200 less to run than Knockrow — the same as paying $9,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Fernleigh
Knockrow
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fernleigh | Knockrow | 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 | $2,000 | $2,800 | -$800 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,884 | $23,684 | -$800 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,084 | $7,884 | -$800 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Fernleigh | Knockrow | 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 — Fernleigh vs Knockrow (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fernleigh costs $800 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,172 in favour of Fernleigh.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $800 per year. Knockrow carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $800 per year, $7,084 from Fernleigh versus $7,884 from Knockrow.
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 Fernleigh by $800 a year, $2,000 against $2,800.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Knockrow against low in Fernleigh, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Fernleigh against low in Knockrow, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fernleigh cumulative | Knockrow cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,884 | $23,684 | $800 |
| Year 3 | $70,732 | $73,205 | $2,473 |
| Year 5 | $121,494 | $125,742 | $4,248 |
| Year 10 | $262,339 | $271,511 | $9,172 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fernleigh or Knockrow cheaper to live in?
Fernleigh is cheaper to run by car at $22,884 per year versus $23,684 for Knockrow, a difference of $800 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fernleigh and Knockrow?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Fernleigh (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,384 in Knockrow (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Fernleigh and $1,300 in Knockrow. 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 Fernleigh and Knockrow?
Fernleigh 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. Knockrow 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 Fernleigh and $2,400 from Knockrow.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fernleigh and Knockrow?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fernleigh costs a cumulative $262,339 and Knockrow costs $271,511 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,172 in favour of Fernleigh. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fernleigh and Knockrow 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.