Huonbrook vs Koonyum Range: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Huonbrook and Koonyum Range are both Byron rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 626.6 km and 628.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Huonbrook
Koonyum Range
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Huonbrook | Koonyum Range | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,649 | $1,649 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,949 | $22,949 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,749 | $7,749 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Huonbrook | Koonyum Range | 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 — Huonbrook vs Koonyum Range (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Huonbrook and Koonyum Range cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,749 and $7,749 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Huonbrook cumulative | Koonyum Range cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,949 | $22,949 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $70,933 | $70,933 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $121,839 | $121,839 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $263,085 | $263,085 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Huonbrook or Koonyum Range cheaper to live in?
Huonbrook is cheaper to run by car at $22,949 per year versus $22,949 for Koonyum Range, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Huonbrook and Koonyum Range?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,649 in Huonbrook (Byron rates (OLG) and $1,649 in Koonyum Range (Byron rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Huonbrook and $1,300 in Koonyum Range. 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 Huonbrook and Koonyum Range?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Huonbrook and $17,600 from Koonyum Range to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Huonbrook and $2,400 from Koonyum Range.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Huonbrook and Koonyum Range?
At 3% annual cost growth, Huonbrook costs a cumulative $263,085 and Koonyum Range costs $263,085 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Huonbrook. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Huonbrook and Koonyum Range 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: Byron rates (OLG and Byron 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.