Wooyung 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
Wooyung (Tweed rates (OLG) and Yelgun (Byron rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (641.2 km and 637.7 km).
Yelgun runs $800 a year cheaper than Wooyung, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,171.
Over 10 years, Yelgun costs about $9,200 less to run than Wooyung — the same as paying $9,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Wooyung
Yelgun
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Wooyung | Yelgun | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,799 | $1,649 | +$150 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,450 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,799 | $22,999 | +$800 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,599 | $7,799 | +$800 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Wooyung | 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 — Wooyung vs Yelgun (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Yelgun costs $800 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,171 in favour of Yelgun.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Wooyung carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $800 per year, $8,599 from Wooyung versus $7,799 from Yelgun.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Wooyung cumulative | Yelgun cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,799 | $22,999 | $800 |
| Year 3 | $73,560 | $71,088 | $2,472 |
| Year 5 | $126,352 | $122,105 | $4,247 |
| Year 10 | $272,829 | $263,658 | $9,171 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wooyung or Yelgun cheaper to live in?
Yelgun is cheaper to run by car at $22,999 per year versus $23,799 for Wooyung, a difference of $800 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Wooyung and Yelgun?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,799 in Wooyung (Tweed rates (OLG) and $1,649 in Yelgun (Byron rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Wooyung 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 Wooyung and Yelgun?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Wooyung and $17,600 from Yelgun to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Wooyung and $2,400 from Yelgun.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Wooyung and Yelgun?
At 3% annual cost growth, Wooyung costs a cumulative $272,829 and Yelgun costs $263,658 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,171 in favour of Yelgun. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Wooyung 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: Tweed 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.