Compare suburbs Suburbs Council rates Cost of living calculator Electricity calculator About Blog
Map of Busbys Flat
555.9 km from CBD
Home  ·  Suburbs  ·  Busbys Flat

True annual cost of living in Busbys Flat, NSW 2469

Living in a house in Busbys Flat costs about $22,629 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Busbys Flat sits 555.9 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs come in at $22,279, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,500 body corporate levy. At 555.9km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $15,200 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Richmond Valley Council rates 2026-27, ATO 88c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights
Running costs sit near the Richmond Valley average, cheaper than 96% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $17,600, roughly 78% 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
$22,629
Driving · per year
$1,886/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$22,279
Incl. body corporate
$1,857/month
House vs unit difference
−$350
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Richmond Valley rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,329
Water & sewerage
Regional NSW estimate
$1,300
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 555.9km from CBD · 192 days
$17,600
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire High
$2,400
Total annual running cost
$22,629
($1,886/month)
Near Richmond Valley average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 6.4/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 96% of Richmond Valley 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 Busbys Flat's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Busbys Flat with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Busbys Flat to the CBD?
Public transport saves Busbys Flat 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 Busbys Flat?
Busbys Flat falls under Richmond Valley Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,329 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 $1,329 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Busbys Flat?
Running a unit in Busbys Flat costs approximately $22,279 per year by car or $7,079 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,329, water and sewerage $1,300, estimated body corporate levy of $1,500, and contents insurance of $550. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Compare up to five suburbs.

Free 5-page PDF report. Enter your suburbs below.

Included:
Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
Crime risk ratings
AI suburb recommendations
Up to 5 suburbs, side by side
I'm looking at a
When are you planning to buy or move?
We'll never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.
Opening your report…
Your report is opening in a new tab. Check your inbox if it doesn't appear within a minute.
Data sources: Council rates: Richmond Valley 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.