Fernleigh vs Pearces Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Fernleigh and Pearces Creek are both Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in suburbs, sitting 607 km and 605.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Fernleigh runs $450 a year cheaper than Pearces Creek, 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 →Fernleigh
Pearces Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fernleigh | Pearces Creek | 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 | $2,000 | $2,450 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,284 | $22,734 | -$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,084 | $7,534 | -$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 | Fernleigh | Pearces Creek | 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 — Fernleigh vs Pearces Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fernleigh 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 Fernleigh.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Pearces Creek carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,084 from Fernleigh versus $7,534 from Pearces Creek.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fernleigh cumulative | Pearces Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,284 | $22,734 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $68,878 | $70,269 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $118,309 | $120,698 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $255,461 | $260,620 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fernleigh or Pearces Creek cheaper to live in?
Fernleigh is cheaper to run by car at $22,284 per year versus $22,734 for Pearces Creek, 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 Fernleigh and Pearces Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Fernleigh (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,384 in Pearces Creek (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Fernleigh and $1,300 in Pearces Creek. 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 Pearces Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Fernleigh and $17,600 from Pearces Creek to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fernleigh and $2,400 from Pearces Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fernleigh and Pearces Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fernleigh costs a cumulative $255,461 and Pearces Creek costs $260,620 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of Fernleigh. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fernleigh and Pearces Creek 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.