True annual cost of living in Upper Ferntree Gully, VIC 3156
Living in a house in Upper Ferntree Gully costs about $11,571 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Upper Ferntree Gully sits 31.9 kilometres from Melbourne CBD. Unit costs reach $12,101, with the $2,100 owners corporation levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 31.9km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $4,479 more per year than public transport users.
About $223 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$12,101
Incl. owners corporation
$1,008/month
About $233 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$530
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Knox rates
$1,405
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 South East Water
$1,514
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 31.9km from CBD · 192 days
$6,702
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire High
$1,950
Owners corporation
Estimated
$2,100
Total annual running cost
$11,571
($964/month, $223/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 Knox City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○3.4/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 23% of Knox City Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost
typical 2-person household
House
$2,016/yr
4,840 kWh
Unit
$1,629/yr
3,630 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Upper Ferntree Gully'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.
Getting around Upper Ferntree Gully
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Upper Ferntree Gully, 735 m away, about a 9 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Unnamed, 208 m away, about a 3 minute walk.
Supermarkets
3
Cafes
9
Parks
18
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-11-03. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.
Frequently asked questions about Upper Ferntree Gully
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Upper Ferntree Gully to the CBD?
Public transport saves Upper Ferntree Gully residents $4,479 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,702 versus $2,223 by public transport using a yearly myki Pass at the 2026 standard full fare.
What are the council rates in Upper Ferntree Gully?
Upper Ferntree Gully falls under Knox City Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,405 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 Upper Ferntree Gully?
Running a unit in Upper Ferntree Gully costs approximately $12,101 per year by car or $7,622 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,405, water and sewerage $1,514, estimated owners corporation levy of $2,100, and contents insurance of $380. Owners corporation fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Upper Ferntree Gully close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Upper Ferntree Gully is Upper Ferntree Gully, a train stop about 735 m away, about a 9 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.
What is the closest hospital to Upper Ferntree Gully?
The closest hospital to the centre of Upper Ferntree Gully is Unnamed, about 208 m away, about a 3 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.
What shops and parks are in Upper Ferntree Gully?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Upper Ferntree Gully there are 3 supermarkets, 9 cafes and 18 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
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Data sources: Council rates: Knox rates (2026-27 budget). Water: South East 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.