Codrington vs Ruthven: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Codrington (Richmond Valley rates (OLG) and Ruthven (Lismore rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (580.6 km and 582.3 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 →Codrington
Ruthven
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Codrington | Ruthven | 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 | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,329 | $23,534 | -$205 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,129 | $8,334 | -$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 | Codrington | Ruthven | 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 — Codrington vs Ruthven (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Codrington and Ruthven 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, $8,129 from Codrington versus $8,334 from Ruthven.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Codrington cumulative | Ruthven cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,329 | $23,534 | $205 |
| Year 3 | $72,108 | $72,741 | $633 |
| Year 5 | $123,857 | $124,945 | $1,088 |
| Year 10 | $267,441 | $269,791 | $2,350 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Codrington or Ruthven cheaper to live in?
Codrington is cheaper to run by car at $23,329 per year versus $23,534 for Ruthven, 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 Codrington and Ruthven?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,329 in Codrington (Richmond Valley rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Ruthven (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Codrington and $1,300 in Ruthven. 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 Codrington and Ruthven?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Codrington and $17,600 from Ruthven to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Codrington and $2,400 from Ruthven.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Codrington and Ruthven?
At 3% annual cost growth, Codrington costs a cumulative $267,441 and Ruthven costs $269,791 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,350 in favour of Codrington. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Codrington and Ruthven 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.