Broadwater vs Rileys Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Broadwater and Rileys Hill are both Richmond Valley rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 580.3 km and 577.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rileys Hill runs $400 a year cheaper than Broadwater, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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 →Broadwater
Rileys Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Broadwater | Rileys Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,329 | $1,329 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,100 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,729 | $23,329 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,529 | $8,129 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Broadwater | Rileys Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Broadwater vs Rileys Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rileys Hill costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Rileys Hill.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Broadwater carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,529 from Broadwater versus $8,129 from Rileys Hill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Broadwater cumulative | Rileys Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,729 | $23,329 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $73,344 | $72,108 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $125,980 | $123,857 | $2,123 |
| Year 10 | $272,026 | $267,441 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Broadwater or Rileys Hill cheaper to live in?
Rileys Hill is cheaper to run by car at $23,329 per year versus $23,729 for Broadwater, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Broadwater and Rileys Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,329 in Broadwater (Richmond Valley rates (OLG) and $1,329 in Rileys Hill (Richmond Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Broadwater and $1,300 in Rileys Hill. 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 Broadwater and Rileys Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Broadwater and $17,600 from Rileys Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Broadwater and $2,400 from Rileys Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Broadwater and Rileys Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Broadwater costs a cumulative $272,026 and Rileys Hill costs $267,441 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Rileys Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Broadwater and Rileys Hill 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: Richmond Valley rates (OLG and Richmond Valley rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.