Alstonvale vs McLeans Ridges, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Alstonvale and McLeans Ridges are both Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Alstonvale runs $400 a year cheaper than McLeans Ridges, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $4,600, about $9 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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McLeans Ridges
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alstonvale | McLeans Ridges | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,384 | $1,384 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,400 | $1,800 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,284 | $22,684 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $22,284 | $22,684 | -$400 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Alstonvale | McLeans Ridges | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Alstonvale vs McLeans Ridges (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Alstonvale and McLeans Ridges differ by $400 a year by car, but $400 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $0, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $22,284 from Alstonvale versus $22,684 from McLeans Ridges.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,384 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Alstonvale by $400 a year, $1,400 against $1,800.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alstonvale cumulative | McLeans Ridges cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,284 | $22,684 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $68,878 | $70,114 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $118,309 | $120,432 | $2,123 |
| Year 10 | $255,461 | $260,047 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alstonvale or McLeans Ridges cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Alstonvale runs $22,284 a year by car and McLeans Ridges $22,684, but most of the $400 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $0. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alstonvale and McLeans Ridges?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Alstonvale (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,384 in McLeans Ridges (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Alstonvale and $1,300 in McLeans Ridges. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Alstonvale and McLeans Ridges?
Alstonvale carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. McLeans Ridges carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alstonvale and McLeans Ridges?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alstonvale costs a cumulative $255,461 and McLeans Ridges costs $260,047 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Alstonvale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alstonvale and McLeans Ridges suits you better?
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Sources: Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in and Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.