Living in a house in Elaine costs about $11,063 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Elaine sits 26.1 kilometres from Ballarat CBD. Unit costs reach $11,683, with the $1,800 owners corporation levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. The commute is costed by car to Ballarat, at $6,142 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.
About $213 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$11,683
Incl. owners corporation
$974/month
About $225 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$620
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Moorabool rates
$1,835
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Central Highlands Water
$1,586
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 26.1km from Ballarat CBD · 192 days
$6,142
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Medium
$1,500
Owners corporation
Estimated
$1,800
Total annual running cost
$11,063
($922/month, $213/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).
Near Moorabool Shire Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○4.6/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 34% of Moorabool Shire Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost
typical 2-person household
House
$1,870/yr
4,840 kWh
Unit
$1,528/yr
3,630 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Elaine'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.
Compare Elaine with another suburb
Nearby: No nearby suburbs with data found
Frequently asked questions about Elaine
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Elaine to Ballarat CBD?
Public transport options are limited in Elaine; driving is the practical commute at $6,142 per year.
What are the council rates in Elaine?
Elaine falls under Moorabool Shire Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,835 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 Elaine?
Running a unit in Elaine costs approximately $11,683 per year by car or $11,683 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,835, water and sewerage $1,586, estimated owners corporation levy of $1,800, and contents insurance of $320. Owners corporation fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
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Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
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Data sources: Council rates: Moorabool 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.