Burrell Creek vs Hillville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Burrell Creek and Hillville are both Mid-Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 237 km and 236.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Burrell Creek runs $400 a year cheaper than Hillville, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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 →Burrell Creek
Hillville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burrell Creek | Hillville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,609 | $1,609 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,509 | $22,909 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,309 | $7,709 | -$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 | Burrell Creek | Hillville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Burrell Creek vs Hillville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burrell Creek costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Burrell Creek.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,309 from Burrell Creek versus $7,709 from Hillville.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burrell Creek cumulative | Hillville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,509 | $22,909 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $69,573 | $70,809 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $119,503 | $121,627 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $258,040 | $262,626 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burrell Creek or Hillville cheaper to live in?
Burrell Creek is cheaper to run by car at $22,509 per year versus $22,909 for Hillville, 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 Burrell Creek and Hillville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Burrell Creek (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Hillville (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Burrell Creek and $1,300 in Hillville. 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 Burrell Creek and Hillville?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Burrell Creek and $17,600 from Hillville to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Burrell Creek and $2,400 from Hillville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burrell Creek and Hillville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burrell Creek costs a cumulative $258,040 and Hillville costs $262,626 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Burrell Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burrell Creek and Hillville 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: Mid-Coast rates (OLG and Mid-Coast 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.