Patchs Beach vs Pimlico Island: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Patchs Beach and Pimlico Island are both Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in suburbs, sitting 589.3 km and 591.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Pimlico Island runs $300 a year cheaper than Patchs Beach, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Patchs Beach
Pimlico Island
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Patchs Beach | Pimlico Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,384 | $1,384 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,384 | $23,084 | +$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,184 | $7,884 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Patchs Beach | Pimlico Island | 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 — Patchs Beach vs Pimlico Island (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Pimlico Island costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Pimlico Island.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Patchs Beach carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,184 from Patchs Beach versus $7,884 from Pimlico Island.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Patchs Beach cumulative | Pimlico Island cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,384 | $23,084 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $72,278 | $71,350 | $928 |
| Year 5 | $124,149 | $122,556 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $268,071 | $264,632 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Patchs Beach or Pimlico Island cheaper to live in?
Pimlico Island is cheaper to run by car at $23,084 per year versus $23,384 for Patchs Beach, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Patchs Beach and Pimlico Island?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Patchs Beach (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,384 in Pimlico Island (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Patchs Beach and $1,300 in Pimlico Island. 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 Patchs Beach and Pimlico Island?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Patchs Beach and $17,600 from Pimlico Island to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Patchs Beach and $2,400 from Pimlico Island.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Patchs Beach and Pimlico Island?
At 3% annual cost growth, Patchs Beach costs a cumulative $268,071 and Pimlico Island costs $264,632 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Pimlico Island. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Patchs Beach and Pimlico Island 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: Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in and Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in 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.