Lake Burrendong vs Yarrabin: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lake Burrendong and Yarrabin are both Dubbo Regional rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $250 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 →Lake Burrendong
Yarrabin
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lake Burrendong | Yarrabin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,270 | $1,270 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,400 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,920 | $23,170 | -$250 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,120 | $7,370 | -$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lake Burrendong | Yarrabin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,115 | +$35 |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,585 | +$26 |
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 — Lake Burrendong vs Yarrabin (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lake Burrendong and Yarrabin cost within $250 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,866, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,120 from Lake Burrendong versus $7,370 from Yarrabin.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,270 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Lake Burrendong by $250 a year, $2,150 against $2,400.
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 Lake Burrendong against low in Yarrabin, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Yarrabin against low in Lake Burrendong, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lake Burrendong cumulative | Yarrabin cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,920 | $23,170 | $250 |
| Year 3 | $70,843 | $71,616 | $773 |
| Year 5 | $121,685 | $123,013 | $1,328 |
| Year 10 | $262,752 | $265,618 | $2,866 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Burrendong or Yarrabin cheaper to live in?
Lake Burrendong is cheaper to run by car at $22,920 per year versus $23,170 for Yarrabin, a difference of $250 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lake Burrendong and Yarrabin?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,270 in Lake Burrendong (Dubbo Regional rates (OLG) and $1,270 in Yarrabin (Dubbo Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lake Burrendong and $1,300 in Yarrabin. 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 Lake Burrendong and Yarrabin?
Lake Burrendong 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. Yarrabin 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 Lake Burrendong and $2,400 from Yarrabin.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lake Burrendong and Yarrabin?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lake Burrendong costs a cumulative $262,752 and Yarrabin costs $265,618 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,866 in favour of Lake Burrendong. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lake Burrendong and Yarrabin 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: Dubbo Regional rates (OLG and Dubbo Regional 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.