The Pocket vs Yelgun: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
The Pocket and Yelgun are both Byron rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 634.2 km and 637.7 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.
The Pocket
Yelgun
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | The Pocket | Yelgun | 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 | $2,450 | $2,450 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,999 | $22,999 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,799 | $7,799 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | The Pocket | Yelgun | 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 — The Pocket vs Yelgun (2026-27)
What the numbers show
The Pocket and Yelgun 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, $7,799 and $7,799 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | The Pocket cumulative | Yelgun cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,999 | $22,999 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $71,088 | $71,088 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $122,105 | $122,105 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $263,658 | $263,658 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Pocket or Yelgun cheaper to live in?
The Pocket is cheaper to run by car at $22,999 per year versus $22,999 for Yelgun, 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 The Pocket and Yelgun?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,649 in The Pocket (Byron rates (OLG) and $1,649 in Yelgun (Byron rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in The Pocket and $1,300 in Yelgun. 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 The Pocket and Yelgun?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from The Pocket and $17,600 from Yelgun to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from The Pocket and $2,400 from Yelgun.
What is the 10-year cost difference between The Pocket and Yelgun?
At 3% annual cost growth, The Pocket costs a cumulative $263,658 and Yelgun costs $263,658 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of The Pocket. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of The Pocket and Yelgun 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.