Koonyum Range vs Wanganui: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Koonyum Range and Wanganui are both Byron rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 628.4 km and 624.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wanganui runs $400 a year cheaper than Koonyum Range, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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
Wanganui
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Koonyum Range | Wanganui | 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 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,949 | $22,549 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,749 | $7,349 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Koonyum Range | Wanganui | 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 — Koonyum Range vs Wanganui (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wanganui costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Wanganui.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,749 from Koonyum Range versus $7,349 from Wanganui.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Koonyum Range cumulative | Wanganui cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,949 | $22,549 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $70,933 | $69,697 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $121,839 | $119,716 | $2,123 |
| Year 10 | $263,085 | $258,499 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Koonyum Range or Wanganui cheaper to live in?
Wanganui is cheaper to run by car at $22,549 per year versus $22,949 for Koonyum Range, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Koonyum Range and Wanganui?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,649 in Koonyum Range (Byron rates (OLG) and $1,649 in Wanganui (Byron rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Koonyum Range and $1,300 in Wanganui. 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 Wanganui?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Koonyum Range and $17,600 from Wanganui to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Koonyum Range and $2,400 from Wanganui.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Koonyum Range and Wanganui?
At 3% annual cost growth, Koonyum Range costs a cumulative $263,085 and Wanganui costs $258,499 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Wanganui. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Koonyum Range and Wanganui 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.