Palona vs Yenabilli: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Palona and Yenabilli are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 32.4 km and 28 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Palona runs $724 a year cheaper than Yenabilli, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,300.
Over 10 years, Palona costs about $8,300 less to run than Yenabilli — the same as paying $8,300 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 →Palona
Yenabilli
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Palona | Yenabilli | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,736 | $6,360 | +$376 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $3,650 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,451 | $13,175 | -$724 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,115 | $9,215 | -$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Palona | Yenabilli | 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 — Palona vs Yenabilli (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Palona costs $724 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,300 in favour of Palona.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Yenabilli carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $8,115 from Palona versus $9,215 from Yenabilli.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,617 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Yenabilli by $376 a year, $6,360 against $6,736.
- Building insurance favours Palona by $1,100 a year, $2,550 against $3,650.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Yenabilli against low in Palona, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 8.8 in Yenabilli against 6.8 in Palona, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Palona cumulative | Yenabilli cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,451 | $13,175 | $724 |
| Year 3 | $38,485 | $40,723 | $2,238 |
| Year 5 | $66,104 | $69,948 | $3,844 |
| Year 10 | $142,737 | $151,037 | $8,300 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Palona or Yenabilli cheaper to live in?
Palona is cheaper to run by car at $12,451 per year versus $13,175 for Yenabilli, a difference of $724 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Palona and Yenabilli?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Palona (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Yenabilli (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Palona and $1,548 in Yenabilli. 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 Palona and Yenabilli?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,736 from Palona and $6,360 from Yenabilli to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Palona and $2,400 from Yenabilli.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Palona and Yenabilli?
At 3% annual cost growth, Palona costs a cumulative $142,737 and Yenabilli costs $151,037 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,300 in favour of Palona. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Palona and Yenabilli 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: Sutherland rates (OLG and Sutherland rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.