Cawongla vs Stony Chute: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cawongla (Kyogle rates (OLG) and Stony Chute (Lismore rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (612.4 km and 616.1 km).
The two sit within $186 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 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 →Cawongla
Stony Chute
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cawongla | Stony Chute | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,320 | $1,534 | -$214 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,620 | $22,434 | +$186 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,420 | $7,234 | +$186 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cawongla | Stony Chute | 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 — Cawongla vs Stony Chute (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cawongla and Stony Chute cost within $186 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,132, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,420 and $7,234 a year, so the $186 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cawongla cumulative | Stony Chute cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,620 | $22,434 | $186 |
| Year 3 | $69,916 | $69,341 | $575 |
| Year 5 | $120,093 | $119,105 | $988 |
| Year 10 | $259,313 | $257,181 | $2,132 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cawongla or Stony Chute cheaper to live in?
Stony Chute is cheaper to run by car at $22,434 per year versus $22,620 for Cawongla, a difference of $186 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cawongla and Stony Chute?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,320 in Cawongla (Kyogle rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Stony Chute (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Cawongla and $1,300 in Stony Chute. 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 Cawongla and Stony Chute?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Cawongla and $17,600 from Stony Chute to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cawongla and $2,400 from Stony Chute.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cawongla and Stony Chute?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cawongla costs a cumulative $259,313 and Stony Chute costs $257,181 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,132 in favour of Stony Chute. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cawongla and Stony Chute 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: Kyogle rates (OLG and Lismore 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.