Fernleigh vs Nashua, 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 (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and Nashua (Byron rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
The two sit within $265 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.
Over 10 years, Fernleigh costs about $3,000 less to run than Nashua. That's about $6 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Fernleigh
Nashua
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fernleigh | Nashua | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,384 | $1,649 | -$265 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,284 | $22,549 | -$265 |
| Total (public transport) | $22,284 | $22,549 | -$265 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Fernleigh | Nashua | 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 Nashua (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fernleigh and Nashua cost within $265 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,038, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $265 per year.
On public transport the gap is $265 per year, $22,284 from Fernleigh versus $22,549 from Nashua.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Fernleigh by $265 a year, $1,384 against $1,649.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,400 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fernleigh cumulative | Nashua cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,284 | $22,549 | $265 |
| Year 3 | $68,878 | $69,697 | $819 |
| Year 5 | $118,309 | $119,716 | $1,407 |
| Year 10 | $255,461 | $258,499 | $3,038 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fernleigh or Nashua cheaper to live in?
Fernleigh is cheaper to run by car at $22,284 per year versus $22,549 for Nashua, a difference of $265 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fernleigh and Nashua?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Fernleigh (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,649 in Nashua (Byron rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Fernleigh and $1,300 in Nashua. 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 Nashua?
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. Nashua 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. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fernleigh and Nashua?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fernleigh costs a cumulative $255,461 and Nashua costs $258,499 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,038 in favour of Fernleigh. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fernleigh and Nashua suits you better?
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Sources: Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in and Byron rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.