Marom Creek vs Rous Mill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Marom Creek (Lismore rates (OLG) and Rous Mill (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (588.9 km and 591.7 km).
Rous Mill runs $1,100 a year cheaper than Marom Creek, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,610.
Over 10 years, Rous Mill costs about $12,600 less to run than Marom Creek — the same as paying $12,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Rous Mill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Marom Creek | Rous Mill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,534 | $1,384 | +$150 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,150 | +$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,534 | $22,434 | +$1,100 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,334 | $7,234 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Marom Creek | Rous Mill | 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 — Marom Creek vs Rous Mill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rous Mill costs $1,100 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,610 in favour of Rous Mill.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. Marom Creek carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $8,334 from Marom Creek versus $7,234 from Rous Mill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Marom Creek cumulative | Rous Mill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,534 | $22,434 | $1,100 |
| Year 3 | $72,741 | $69,341 | $3,400 |
| Year 5 | $124,945 | $119,105 | $5,840 |
| Year 10 | $269,791 | $257,181 | $12,610 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marom Creek or Rous Mill cheaper to live in?
Rous Mill is cheaper to run by car at $22,434 per year versus $23,534 for Marom Creek, a difference of $1,100 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Marom Creek and Rous Mill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Marom Creek (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,384 in Rous Mill (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Marom Creek and $1,300 in Rous Mill. 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 Marom Creek and Rous Mill?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Marom Creek and $17,600 from Rous Mill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Marom Creek and $2,400 from Rous Mill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Marom Creek and Rous Mill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Marom Creek costs a cumulative $269,791 and Rous Mill costs $257,181 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,610 in favour of Rous Mill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Marom Creek and Rous Mill 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: Lismore rates (OLG and Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in 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.