Clergate vs Summer Hill 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
Clergate and Summer Hill Creek are both Cabonne rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 11.6 km and 10.7 km from Orange CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $227 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 →Clergate
Summer Hill Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clergate | Summer Hill Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $775 | $775 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,466 | $3,239 | +$227 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,541 | $7,314 | +$227 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,475 | $6,475 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Clergate | Summer Hill Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,257 | $3,257 | - |
| Unit | $2,691 | $2,691 | - |
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 — Clergate vs Summer Hill Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Clergate and Summer Hill Creek cost within $227 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,602, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $227 per year. Clergate is 11.6 km from Orange CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,475 and $6,475 a year, so the $227 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $775 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Summer Hill Creek by $227 a year, $3,239 against $3,466.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,000 a year.
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 commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clergate cumulative | Summer Hill Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,541 | $7,314 | $227 |
| Year 3 | $23,308 | $22,607 | $701 |
| Year 5 | $40,036 | $38,831 | $1,205 |
| Year 10 | $86,449 | $83,847 | $2,602 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clergate or Summer Hill Creek cheaper to live in?
Summer Hill Creek is cheaper to run by car at $7,314 per year versus $7,541 for Clergate, a difference of $227 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clergate and Summer Hill Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $775 in Clergate (Cabonne rates (OLG) and $775 in Summer Hill Creek (Cabonne rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Clergate and $1,300 in Summer Hill 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 Clergate and Summer Hill Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,466 from Clergate and $3,239 from Summer Hill Creek to Orange CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Clergate and $2,400 from Summer Hill Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clergate and Summer Hill Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clergate costs a cumulative $86,449 and Summer Hill Creek costs $83,847 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,602 in favour of Summer Hill Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clergate and Summer Hill 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: Cabonne rates (OLG and Cabonne rates (OLG 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.