Repentance Creek vs Upper Coopers Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Repentance Creek (Lismore rates (OLG) and Upper Coopers Creek (Byron rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (618.7 km and 621.1 km).
The two sit within $285 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 →Repentance Creek
Upper Coopers Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Repentance Creek | Upper Coopers Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,534 | $1,649 | -$115 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,834 | $22,549 | +$285 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,634 | $7,349 | +$285 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Repentance Creek | Upper Coopers Creek | 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 — Repentance Creek vs Upper Coopers Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Repentance Creek and Upper Coopers Creek cost within $285 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,267, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $285 per year, $7,634 from Repentance Creek versus $7,349 from Upper Coopers Creek.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Repentance Creek cumulative | Upper Coopers Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,834 | $22,549 | $285 |
| Year 3 | $70,578 | $69,697 | $881 |
| Year 5 | $121,229 | $119,716 | $1,513 |
| Year 10 | $261,766 | $258,499 | $3,267 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Repentance Creek or Upper Coopers Creek cheaper to live in?
Upper Coopers Creek is cheaper to run by car at $22,549 per year versus $22,834 for Repentance Creek, a difference of $285 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Repentance Creek and Upper Coopers Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Repentance Creek (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,649 in Upper Coopers Creek (Byron rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Repentance Creek and $1,300 in Upper Coopers Creek. 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 Repentance Creek and Upper Coopers Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Repentance Creek and $17,600 from Upper Coopers Creek to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Repentance Creek and $2,400 from Upper Coopers Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Repentance Creek and Upper Coopers Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Repentance Creek costs a cumulative $261,766 and Upper Coopers Creek costs $258,499 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,267 in favour of Upper Coopers Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Repentance Creek and Upper Coopers Creek 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: Lismore rates (OLG and Byron 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.