Killabakh vs Mooral 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
Killabakh and Mooral Creek are both Mid-Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 265.1 km and 264.8 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.
Killabakh
Mooral Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Killabakh | Mooral Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,609 | $1,609 | - |
| 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) | $22,909 | $22,909 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,709 | $7,709 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Killabakh | Mooral Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Killabakh vs Mooral Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Killabakh and Mooral Creek 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, $7,709 and $7,709 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Killabakh cumulative | Mooral Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,909 | $22,909 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $70,809 | $70,809 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $121,627 | $121,627 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $262,626 | $262,626 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Killabakh or Mooral Creek cheaper to live in?
Killabakh is cheaper to run by car at $22,909 per year versus $22,909 for Mooral Creek, 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 Killabakh and Mooral Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Killabakh (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Mooral Creek (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Killabakh and $1,300 in Mooral 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 Killabakh and Mooral Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Killabakh and $17,600 from Mooral Creek to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Killabakh and $2,400 from Mooral Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Killabakh and Mooral Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Killabakh costs a cumulative $262,626 and Mooral Creek costs $262,626 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Killabakh. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Killabakh and Mooral 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: Mid-Coast rates (OLG and Mid-Coast 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.