Koonyum Range vs Main Arm: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Koonyum Range and Main Arm are both Byron rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $50 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 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 →Koonyum Range
Main Arm
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Koonyum Range | Main Arm | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,649 | $1,649 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,450 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,549 | $23,599 | -$50 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,749 | $7,799 | -$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Koonyum Range | Main Arm | 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 — Koonyum Range vs Main Arm (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Koonyum Range and Main Arm cost within $50 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $573, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $50 per year. Main Arm carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,749 and $7,799 a year, so the $50 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,649 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Koonyum Range by $50 a year, $2,400 against $2,450.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Main Arm against low in Koonyum Range, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Koonyum Range against medium in Main Arm, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Koonyum Range cumulative | Main Arm cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,549 | $23,599 | $50 |
| Year 3 | $72,788 | $72,942 | $154 |
| Year 5 | $125,025 | $125,290 | $265 |
| Year 10 | $269,963 | $270,536 | $573 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Koonyum Range or Main Arm cheaper to live in?
Koonyum Range is cheaper to run by car at $23,549 per year versus $23,599 for Main Arm, a difference of $50 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Koonyum Range and Main Arm?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,649 in Koonyum Range (Byron rates (OLG) and $1,649 in Main Arm (Byron rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Koonyum Range and $1,300 in Main Arm. 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 Koonyum Range and Main Arm?
Koonyum Range 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. Main Arm 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. Public transport costs $2,400 from Koonyum Range and $2,400 from Main Arm.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Koonyum Range and Main Arm?
At 3% annual cost growth, Koonyum Range costs a cumulative $269,963 and Main Arm costs $270,536 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $573 in favour of Koonyum Range. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Koonyum Range and Main Arm 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.