Living in a house in Scarsdale costs about $10,843 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Scarsdale sits 21.0 kilometres from Ballarat CBD. Unit costs reach $11,173, with the $1,800 owners corporation levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. The commute is costed by car to Ballarat, at $5,413 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.
About $209 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$11,173
Incl. owners corporation
$931/month
About $215 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$330
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Golden Plains rates
$1,994
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Central Highlands Water
$1,586
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 21.0km from Ballarat CBD · 192 days
$5,413
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire High
$1,850
Owners corporation
Estimated
$1,800
Total annual running cost
$10,843
($904/month, $209/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 Golden Plains Shire Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○3.9/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 37% of Golden Plains 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 Scarsdale'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 Scarsdale to Ballarat CBD?
Public transport options are limited in Scarsdale; driving is the practical commute at $5,413 per year.
What are the council rates in Scarsdale?
Scarsdale falls under Golden Plains Shire Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,994 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 Scarsdale?
Running a unit in Scarsdale costs approximately $11,173 per year by car or $11,173 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,994, 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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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: Golden Plains 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.