Raleigh vs Repton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Raleigh and Repton are both Bellingen rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 21.6 km and 17.9 km from Coffs Harbour CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $255 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 →Raleigh
Repton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Raleigh | Repton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,652 | $1,652 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,510 | $4,855 | +$655 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,562 | $11,307 | +$255 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,452 | $8,852 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Raleigh | Repton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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 — Raleigh vs Repton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Raleigh and Repton cost within $255 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,923, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $655 per year. Raleigh is 21.6 km from Coffs Harbour CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,452 from Raleigh versus $8,852 from Repton.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,652 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Repton by $655 a year, $4,855 against $5,510.
- Building insurance favours Raleigh by $400 a year, $3,100 against $3,500.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Repton against medium in Raleigh, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 6.8 in Repton against 5.4 in Raleigh, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Raleigh cumulative | Repton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,562 | $11,307 | $255 |
| Year 3 | $35,737 | $34,949 | $788 |
| Year 5 | $61,384 | $60,030 | $1,354 |
| Year 10 | $132,545 | $129,622 | $2,923 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Raleigh or Repton cheaper to live in?
Repton is cheaper to run by car at $11,307 per year versus $11,562 for Raleigh, a difference of $255 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Raleigh and Repton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,652 in Raleigh (Bellingen rates (OLG) and $1,652 in Repton (Bellingen rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Raleigh and $1,300 in Repton. 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 Raleigh and Repton?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,510 from Raleigh and $4,855 from Repton to Coffs Harbour CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Raleigh and $2,400 from Repton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Raleigh and Repton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Raleigh costs a cumulative $132,545 and Repton costs $129,622 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,923 in favour of Repton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Raleigh and Repton 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: Bellingen rates (OLG and Bellingen 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.