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317.5 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Ballengarra, NSW 2441

Living in a house in Ballengarra costs about $23,120 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Ballengarra sits 317.5 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs come in at $22,430, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,500 body corporate levy. At 317.5km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $15,200 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Port Macquarie-Hastings Council rates 2026-27, ATO 88c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights
Running costs sit near the Port Macquarie-Hastings average, cheaper than 44% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $17,600, roughly 76% of the annual total.
Bushfire risk is rated high here, which lifts home insurance. Full risk detail is in the free report.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$23,120
Driving · per year
$1,927/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$22,430
Incl. body corporate
$1,869/month
House vs unit difference
−$690
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,370
Water & sewerage
Regional NSW estimate
$1,300
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 317.5km from CBD · 192 days
$17,600
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Medium · fire High
$2,850
Total annual running cost
$23,120
($1,927/month)
Near Port Macquarie-Hastings average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○ 4.2/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 44% of Port Macquarie-Hastings suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
House
$2,098/yr
5,086 kWh
Unit
$1,679/yr
3,815 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Ballengarra's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Ballengarra with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Ballengarra to the CBD?
Public transport saves Ballengarra residents $15,200 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $17,600 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Ballengarra?
Ballengarra falls under Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,370 per year for an owner-occupied house, based on OLG data uplifted by the council's IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,370 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Ballengarra?
Running a unit in Ballengarra costs approximately $22,430 per year by car or $7,230 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,370, water and sewerage $1,300, estimated body corporate levy of $1,500, and contents insurance of $660. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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Data sources: Council rates: Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Regional NSW estimate. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.