Clovass vs McKees Hill, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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.
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, Clovass costs about $2,400 less to run than McKees Hill. That's about $5 a week.
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McKees Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clovass | McKees Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,329 | $1,534 | -$205 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,029 | $23,234 | -$205 |
| Total (public transport) | $23,029 | $23,234 | -$205 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Clovass | McKees Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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, 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, $23,029 from Clovass versus $23,234 from McKees Hill.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Clovass by $205 a year, $1,329 against $1,534.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,200 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clovass cumulative | McKees Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,029 | $23,234 | $205 |
| Year 3 | $71,180 | $71,814 | $634 |
| Year 5 | $122,264 | $123,352 | $1,088 |
| Year 10 | $264,002 | $266,352 | $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 $23,029 per year versus $23,234 for McKees Hill, a difference of $205 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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?
Clovass carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. McKees Hill carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clovass and McKees Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clovass costs a cumulative $264,002 and McKees Hill costs $266,352 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 suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.