Clovass vs Mckees 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
Clovass (Richmond Valley rates (OLG) and Mckees Hill (Lismore rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (585.1 km and 586.5 km).
The two sit within $205 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 →Clovass
Mckees Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clovass | Mckees Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,329 | $1,534 | -$205 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,450 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,679 | $22,884 | -$205 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,479 | $7,684 | -$205 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Clovass | Mckees 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 — Clovass vs Mckees Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Clovass and Mckees Hill cost within $205 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,350, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $205 per year.
On public transport the gap is $205 per year, $7,479 from Clovass versus $7,684 from Mckees Hill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clovass cumulative | Mckees Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,679 | $22,884 | $205 |
| Year 3 | $70,099 | $70,732 | $633 |
| Year 5 | $120,406 | $121,494 | $1,088 |
| Year 10 | $259,989 | $262,339 | $2,350 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clovass or Mckees Hill cheaper to live in?
Clovass is cheaper to run by car at $22,679 per year versus $22,884 for Mckees Hill, a difference of $205 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clovass and Mckees Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,329 in Clovass (Richmond Valley rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Mckees Hill (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Clovass and $1,300 in Mckees 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 Clovass and Mckees Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Clovass and $17,600 from Mckees Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Clovass and $2,400 from Mckees Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clovass and Mckees Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clovass costs a cumulative $259,989 and Mckees Hill costs $262,339 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,350 in favour of Clovass. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clovass and Mckees 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 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.