Alstonvale vs Pearces Creek: 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 Pearces Creek 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 $450 a year cheaper than Pearces Creek, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,159.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Alstonvale
Pearces Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alstonvale | Pearces Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,384 | $1,384 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,450 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,884 | $23,334 | -$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,084 | $7,534 | -$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Alstonvale | Pearces Creek | 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 Pearces Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Alstonvale costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,159 in favour of Alstonvale.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Pearces Creek carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,084 from Alstonvale versus $7,534 from Pearces Creek.
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 $450 a year, $2,000 against $2,450.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Pearces Creek against low in Alstonvale, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alstonvale cumulative | Pearces Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,884 | $23,334 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $70,732 | $72,123 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $121,494 | $123,883 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $262,339 | $267,498 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alstonvale or Pearces Creek cheaper to live in?
Alstonvale is cheaper to run by car at $22,884 per year versus $23,334 for Pearces Creek, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alstonvale and Pearces Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Alstonvale (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,384 in Pearces Creek (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Alstonvale and $1,300 in Pearces Creek. 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 Pearces Creek?
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. Pearces Creek 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. Public transport costs $2,400 from Alstonvale and $2,400 from Pearces Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alstonvale and Pearces Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alstonvale costs a cumulative $262,339 and Pearces Creek costs $267,498 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of Alstonvale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alstonvale and Pearces Creek is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.