Living in a house in Buninyong costs about $8,644 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Buninyong sits 10.3 kilometres from Ballarat CBD. Unit costs come in at $8,574, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,800 owners corporation levy. The commute is costed by car to Ballarat, at $3,125 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.
About $166 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$8,574
Incl. owners corporation
$715/month
About $165 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$70
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Ballarat rates
$1,683
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Central Highlands Water
$1,586
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 10.3km from Ballarat CBD · 192 days
$3,125
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire High
$2,250
Owners corporation
Estimated
$1,800
Total annual running cost
$8,644
($720/month, $166/week)
Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy on your rates notice: $139 a year plus 17.3 cents per $1,000 of your home's capital improved value (2026-27).
↑ 21% above Ballarat City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○6.0/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 74% of Ballarat City Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost
typical 2-person household
House
$2,077/yr
5,574 kWh
Unit
$1,684/yr
4,181 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Buninyong's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Buninyong to Ballarat CBD?
Public transport options are limited in Buninyong; driving is the practical commute at $3,125 per year.
What are the council rates in Buninyong?
Buninyong falls under Ballarat City Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,683 per year, from the council's budget: residential rate revenue divided by the number of residential assessments, plus the council's municipal charge where it sets one. Victorian councils rate on capital improved value, so individual properties pay more or less than the average. The figure excludes waste charges and the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.
What does it cost to run a unit in Buninyong?
Running a unit in Buninyong costs approximately $8,574 per year by car or $8,574 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,683, water and sewerage $1,586, estimated owners corporation levy of $1,800, and contents insurance of $380. Owners corporation fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
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Included:
Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
Crime risk ratings
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Data sources: Council rates: Ballarat rates (2026-27 budget). Water: Central Highlands Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Flood: Victorian planning scheme flood overlays (FO, LSIO, SBO). Fire: Bushfire Management Overlay and Bushfire Prone Area. Data last verified November 2026. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.