Living in a house in Malmsbury costs about $12,421 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Malmsbury sits 48.6 kilometres from Bendigo CBD. Unit costs reach $12,761, with the $1,800 owners corporation levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. The commute is costed by car to Bendigo, at $6,666 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.
About $239 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$12,761
Incl. owners corporation
$1,063/month
About $245 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$340
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Macedon Ranges rates
$2,141
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Coliban Water
$1,764
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 48.6km from Bendigo CBD · 192 days
$6,666
Home insurance
Estimated flood Medium · fire Medium
$1,850
Owners corporation
Estimated
$1,800
Total annual running cost
$12,421
($1,035/month, $239/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).
↑ 8% above Macedon Ranges Shire Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○3.6/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 5% of Macedon Ranges Shire 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 Malmsbury'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 Malmsbury with another suburb
Nearby: No nearby suburbs with data found
Frequently asked questions about Malmsbury
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Malmsbury to Bendigo CBD?
Public transport options are limited in Malmsbury; driving is the practical commute at $6,666 per year.
What are the council rates in Malmsbury?
Malmsbury falls under Macedon Ranges Shire Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $2,141 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 Malmsbury?
Running a unit in Malmsbury costs approximately $12,761 per year by car or $12,761 by public transport. This includes council rates of $2,141, water and sewerage $1,764, estimated owners corporation levy of $1,800, and contents insurance of $390. Owners corporation fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
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10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
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Data sources: Council rates: Macedon Ranges rates (2026-27 budget). Water: Coliban 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.