Clergate vs Summer Hill Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clergate and Summer Hill Creek are both Cabonne rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 206.3 km and 205.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
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) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $21,675 | $21,675 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $6,475 | $6,475 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/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 | $2,554 | $2,554 | - |
| Unit | $2,020 | $2,020 | - |
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 — Clergate vs Summer Hill Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Clergate and Summer Hill Creek cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,475 and $6,475 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clergate cumulative | Summer Hill Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $21,675 | $21,675 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $66,995 | $66,995 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $115,076 | $115,076 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $248,480 | $248,480 | $0 |
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?
Clergate is cheaper to run by car at $21,675 per year versus $21,675 for Summer Hill Creek, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $17,600 from Clergate and $17,600 from Summer Hill Creek to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $248,480 and Summer Hill Creek costs $248,480 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Clergate. 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.