Ashby Heights vs Ashby Island, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ashby Heights and Ashby Island are both Clarence Valley rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $200 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,300, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Ashby Heights
Ashby Island
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ashby Heights | Ashby Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,439 | $1,439 | - |
| 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 | $2,150 | $2,350 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,089 | $23,289 | -$200 |
| Total (public transport) | $23,089 | $23,289 | -$200 |
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 | Ashby Heights | Ashby Island | 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, Ashby Heights vs Ashby Island (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ashby Heights and Ashby Island differ by $200 a year by car, but $200 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 $200 per year. Ashby Island carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $23,089 from Ashby Heights versus $23,289 from Ashby Island.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,439 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Ashby Heights by $200 a year, $2,150 against $2,350.
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 high in Ashby Island against medium in Ashby Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Ashby Heights against medium in Ashby Island, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ashby Heights cumulative | Ashby Island cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,089 | $23,289 | $200 |
| Year 3 | $71,366 | $71,984 | $618 |
| Year 5 | $122,583 | $123,644 | $1,061 |
| Year 10 | $264,690 | $266,982 | $2,292 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ashby Heights or Ashby Island cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Ashby Heights runs $23,089 a year by car and Ashby Island $23,289, but most of the $200 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 Ashby Heights and Ashby Island?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,439 in Ashby Heights (Clarence Valley rates (OLG) and $1,439 in Ashby Island (Clarence Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Ashby Heights and $1,300 in Ashby Island. 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 Ashby Heights and Ashby Island?
Ashby Heights 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. Ashby Island 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 Ashby Heights and Ashby Island?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ashby Heights costs a cumulative $264,690 and Ashby Island costs $266,982 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,292 in favour of Ashby Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ashby Heights and Ashby Island suits you better?
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Sources: Clarence Valley rates (OLG and Clarence Valley rates (OLG 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.