Mendooran vs Yarragrin: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mendooran and Yarragrin are both Warrumbungle rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 311.3 km and 308.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Yarragrin runs $1,100 a year cheaper than Mendooran, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,610.
Over 10 years, Yarragrin costs about $12,600 less to run than Mendooran — the same as paying $12,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Mendooran
Yarragrin
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mendooran | Yarragrin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $698 | $698 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,000 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,698 | $21,598 | +$1,100 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,498 | $6,398 | +$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 | Mendooran | Yarragrin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,453 | $2,453 | - |
| Unit | $1,944 | $1,944 | - |
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 — Mendooran vs Yarragrin (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Yarragrin 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 Yarragrin.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Mendooran carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $7,498 from Mendooran versus $6,398 from Yarragrin.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mendooran cumulative | Yarragrin cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,698 | $21,598 | $1,100 |
| Year 3 | $70,157 | $66,757 | $3,400 |
| Year 5 | $120,507 | $114,667 | $5,840 |
| Year 10 | $260,207 | $247,597 | $12,610 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mendooran or Yarragrin cheaper to live in?
Yarragrin is cheaper to run by car at $21,598 per year versus $22,698 for Mendooran, 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 Mendooran and Yarragrin?
Annual council rates for a house are $698 in Mendooran (Warrumbungle rates (OLG) and $698 in Yarragrin (Warrumbungle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Mendooran and $1,300 in Yarragrin. 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 Mendooran and Yarragrin?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Mendooran and $17,600 from Yarragrin to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mendooran and $2,400 from Yarragrin.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mendooran and Yarragrin?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mendooran costs a cumulative $260,207 and Yarragrin costs $247,597 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,610 in favour of Yarragrin. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mendooran and Yarragrin 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.
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Sources: Warrumbungle rates (OLG and Warrumbungle 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.