Ourimbah vs Palm Grove: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ourimbah and Palm Grove are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 62.9 km and 62 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $171 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 →Ourimbah
Palm Grove
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ourimbah | Palm Grove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,543 | $4,714 | -$171 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,697 | $9,868 | -$171 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,554 | $7,554 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Ourimbah | Palm Grove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Ourimbah vs Palm Grove (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ourimbah and Palm Grove cost within $171 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,961, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $171 per year. Ourimbah is 62.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,554 and $7,554 a year, so the $171 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ourimbah cumulative | Palm Grove cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,697 | $9,868 | $171 |
| Year 3 | $29,972 | $30,501 | $529 |
| Year 5 | $51,483 | $52,391 | $908 |
| Year 10 | $111,165 | $113,126 | $1,961 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ourimbah or Palm Grove cheaper to live in?
Ourimbah is cheaper to run by car at $9,697 per year versus $9,868 for Palm Grove, a difference of $171 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ourimbah and Palm Grove?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Ourimbah (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Palm Grove (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Ourimbah and $1,300 in Palm Grove. 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 Ourimbah and Palm Grove?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,543 from Ourimbah and $4,714 from Palm Grove to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Ourimbah and $2,400 from Palm Grove.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ourimbah and Palm Grove?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ourimbah costs a cumulative $111,165 and Palm Grove costs $113,126 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,961 in favour of Ourimbah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ourimbah and Palm Grove 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: Central Coast rates (OLG and Central Coast 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.