Greenhill vs Yarravel: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Greenhill and Yarravel are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 347.7 km and 347.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Yarravel runs $1,050 a year cheaper than Greenhill, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,037.
Over 10 years, Yarravel costs about $12,000 less to run than Greenhill — the same as paying $12,000 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 →Greenhill
Yarravel
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Greenhill | Yarravel | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,492 | $1,492 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $2,450 | +$1,050 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,892 | $22,842 | +$1,050 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,692 | $7,642 | +$1,050 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Greenhill | Yarravel | 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 — Greenhill vs Yarravel (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Yarravel costs $1,050 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,037 in favour of Yarravel.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,050 per year. Greenhill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,050 per year, $8,692 from Greenhill versus $7,642 from Yarravel.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Greenhill cumulative | Yarravel cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,892 | $22,842 | $1,050 |
| Year 3 | $73,848 | $70,602 | $3,246 |
| Year 5 | $126,846 | $121,271 | $5,575 |
| Year 10 | $273,895 | $261,858 | $12,037 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Greenhill or Yarravel cheaper to live in?
Yarravel is cheaper to run by car at $22,842 per year versus $23,892 for Greenhill, a difference of $1,050 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Greenhill and Yarravel?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Greenhill (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in Yarravel (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Greenhill and $1,300 in Yarravel. 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 Greenhill and Yarravel?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Greenhill and $17,600 from Yarravel to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Greenhill and $2,400 from Yarravel.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Greenhill and Yarravel?
At 3% annual cost growth, Greenhill costs a cumulative $273,895 and Yarravel costs $261,858 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,037 in favour of Yarravel. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Greenhill and Yarravel 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: Kempsey rates (OLG and Kempsey 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.