Murwillumbah vs South Murwillumbah: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Murwillumbah and South Murwillumbah are both Tweed rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 649.6 km and 650.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Murwillumbah
South Murwillumbah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Murwillumbah | South Murwillumbah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,799 | $1,799 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,799 | $23,799 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,599 | $8,599 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Murwillumbah | South Murwillumbah | 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 — Murwillumbah vs South Murwillumbah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Murwillumbah and South Murwillumbah cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,599 and $8,599 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Murwillumbah cumulative | South Murwillumbah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,799 | $23,799 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $73,560 | $73,560 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $126,352 | $126,352 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $272,829 | $272,829 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Murwillumbah or South Murwillumbah cheaper to live in?
Murwillumbah is cheaper to run by car at $23,799 per year versus $23,799 for South Murwillumbah, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Murwillumbah and South Murwillumbah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,799 in Murwillumbah (Tweed rates (OLG) and $1,799 in South Murwillumbah (Tweed rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Murwillumbah and $1,300 in South Murwillumbah. 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 Murwillumbah and South Murwillumbah?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Murwillumbah and $17,600 from South Murwillumbah to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Murwillumbah and $2,400 from South Murwillumbah.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Murwillumbah and South Murwillumbah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Murwillumbah costs a cumulative $272,829 and South Murwillumbah costs $272,829 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Murwillumbah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Murwillumbah and South Murwillumbah 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: Tweed rates (OLG and Tweed 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.