True annual cost of living in Long Forest, VIC 3340
Living in a house in Long Forest costs about $12,535 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Long Forest sits 43.6 kilometres from Melbourne CBD. Unit costs come in at $12,465, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,800 owners corporation levy. The commute is costed by car to Melbourne, at $6,933 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.
About $241 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$12,465
Incl. owners corporation
$1,039/month
About $240 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 Moorabool rates
$1,835
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Greater Western Water (western)
$1,517
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 43.6km from CBD · 192 days
$6,933
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire High
$2,250
Owners corporation
Estimated
$1,800
Total annual running cost
$12,535
($1,045/month, $241/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).
↑ 13% above Moorabool Shire Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●○○○○2.3/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 3% 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 Long Forest'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 Long Forest to the CBD?
Public transport options are limited in Long Forest; driving is the practical commute at $6,933 per year.
What are the council rates in Long Forest?
Long Forest 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 Long Forest?
Running a unit in Long Forest costs approximately $12,465 per year by car or $12,465 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,835, water and sewerage $1,517, 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: Moorabool rates (2026-27 budget). Water: Greater Western Water (western) 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.