Mirrabooka vs Sunshine, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mirrabooka and Sunshine are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 89.7 km and 90.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $272 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 the gap between these two is about $3,100, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Sunshine
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mirrabooka | Sunshine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,918 | $3,940 | -$22 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,850 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,658 | $8,930 | -$272 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,140 | $7,390 | -$250 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mirrabooka | Sunshine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Mirrabooka vs Sunshine (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mirrabooka and Sunshine differ by $272 a year by car, but $250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $22, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Sunshine carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,140 from Mirrabooka versus $7,390 from Sunshine.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,763 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mirrabooka by $22 a year, $3,918 against $3,940.
- Building insurance favours Mirrabooka by $250 a year, $1,600 against $1,850.
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 commute distance and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Sunshine against medium in Mirrabooka, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mirrabooka cumulative | Sunshine cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,658 | $8,930 | $272 |
| Year 3 | $26,761 | $27,602 | $841 |
| Year 5 | $45,966 | $47,411 | $1,445 |
| Year 10 | $99,254 | $102,372 | $3,118 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mirrabooka or Sunshine cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Mirrabooka runs $8,658 a year by car and Sunshine $8,930, but most of the $272 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $22. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mirrabooka and Sunshine?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Mirrabooka (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Sunshine (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Mirrabooka and $1,377 in Sunshine. 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 Mirrabooka and Sunshine?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,918 from Mirrabooka and $3,940 from Sunshine to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mirrabooka and $2,400 from Sunshine.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mirrabooka and Sunshine?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mirrabooka costs a cumulative $99,254 and Sunshine costs $102,372 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,118 in favour of Mirrabooka. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mirrabooka and Sunshine suits you better?
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: Lake Macquarie rates (OLG and Lake Macquarie rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.