Skinners Shoot vs Suffolk Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Skinners Shoot and Suffolk Park are both Byron rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 622.9 km and 619.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Skinners Shoot
Suffolk Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Skinners Shoot | Suffolk Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,649 | $1,649 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,649 | $23,649 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,449 | $8,449 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Skinners Shoot | Suffolk Park | 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 — Skinners Shoot vs Suffolk Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Skinners Shoot and Suffolk Park cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,449 and $8,449 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Skinners Shoot cumulative | Suffolk Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,649 | $23,649 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $73,097 | $73,097 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $125,556 | $125,556 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $271,109 | $271,109 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Skinners Shoot or Suffolk Park cheaper to live in?
Skinners Shoot is cheaper to run by car at $23,649 per year versus $23,649 for Suffolk Park, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Skinners Shoot and Suffolk Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,649 in Skinners Shoot (Byron rates (OLG) and $1,649 in Suffolk Park (Byron rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Skinners Shoot and $1,300 in Suffolk Park. 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 Skinners Shoot and Suffolk Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Skinners Shoot and $17,600 from Suffolk Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Skinners Shoot and $2,400 from Suffolk Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Skinners Shoot and Suffolk Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Skinners Shoot costs a cumulative $271,109 and Suffolk Park costs $271,109 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Skinners Shoot. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Skinners Shoot and Suffolk Park 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: Byron 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.