Skillion Flat vs Yarravel: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Skillion Flat and Yarravel are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 349.9 km and 347.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $50 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 →Skillion Flat
Yarravel
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Skillion Flat | Yarravel | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,492 | $1,492 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,450 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,792 | $22,842 | -$50 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,592 | $7,642 | -$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Skillion Flat | Yarravel | 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 — Skillion Flat vs Yarravel (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Skillion Flat and Yarravel cost within $50 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $573, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $50 per year. Yarravel carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,592 and $7,642 a year, so the $50 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Skillion Flat cumulative | Yarravel cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,792 | $22,842 | $50 |
| Year 3 | $70,448 | $70,602 | $154 |
| Year 5 | $121,006 | $121,271 | $265 |
| Year 10 | $261,285 | $261,858 | $573 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Skillion Flat or Yarravel cheaper to live in?
Skillion Flat is cheaper to run by car at $22,792 per year versus $22,842 for Yarravel, a difference of $50 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Skillion Flat and Yarravel?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Skillion Flat (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in Yarravel (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Skillion Flat and $1,300 in Yarravel. 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 Skillion Flat and Yarravel?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Skillion Flat and $17,600 from Yarravel to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Skillion Flat and $2,400 from Yarravel.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Skillion Flat and Yarravel?
At 3% annual cost growth, Skillion Flat costs a cumulative $261,285 and Yarravel costs $261,858 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $573 in favour of Skillion Flat. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Skillion Flat and Yarravel 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: Kempsey rates (OLG and Kempsey 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.