Raby vs Varroville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Raby and Varroville are both Campbelltown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 39.9 km and 39.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Raby runs $300 a year cheaper than Varroville, 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 →Raby
Varroville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Raby | Varroville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,988 | $6,988 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,150 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,883 | $12,183 | -$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,295 | $7,595 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Raby | Varroville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Raby vs Varroville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Raby 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 Raby.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,295 from Raby versus $7,595 from Varroville.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,497 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $6,988 a year.
- Building insurance favours Raby by $300 a year, $1,850 against $2,150.
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 the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Varroville against low in Raby, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Raby cumulative | Varroville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,883 | $12,183 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $36,729 | $37,656 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $63,088 | $64,681 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $136,225 | $139,664 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Raby or Varroville cheaper to live in?
Raby is cheaper to run by car at $11,883 per year versus $12,183 for Varroville, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Raby and Varroville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Raby (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in Varroville (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Raby and $1,548 in Varroville. 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 Raby and Varroville?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,988 from Raby and $6,988 from Varroville to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Raby and $2,400 from Varroville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Raby and Varroville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Raby costs a cumulative $136,225 and Varroville costs $139,664 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Raby. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Raby and Varroville 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: Campbelltown rates (OLG and Campbelltown 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.