Cross Roads vs Hayes Gap, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cross Roads and Hayes Gap are both Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG suburbs, 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.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
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Hayes Gap
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cross Roads | Hayes Gap | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,122 | $1,122 | - |
| 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 | $1,550 | $1,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,172 | $22,172 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $22,172 | $22,172 | - |
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 | Cross Roads | Hayes Gap | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,115 | $3,115 | - |
| Unit | $2,585 | $2,585 | - |
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, Cross Roads vs Hayes Gap (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cross Roads and Hayes Gap 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, $22,172 and $22,172 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,122 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,550 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. On these four costs they are identical.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cross Roads cumulative | Hayes Gap cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,172 | $22,172 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $68,531 | $68,531 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $117,714 | $117,714 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $254,177 | $254,177 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cross Roads or Hayes Gap cheaper to live in?
Cross Roads is cheaper to run by car at $22,172 per year versus $22,172 for Hayes Gap, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cross Roads and Hayes Gap?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,122 in Cross Roads (Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG) and $1,122 in Hayes Gap (Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Cross Roads and $1,300 in Hayes Gap. 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 Cross Roads and Hayes Gap?
Cross Roads 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. Hayes Gap 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 Cross Roads and Hayes Gap?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cross Roads costs a cumulative $254,177 and Hayes Gap costs $254,177 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Cross Roads. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cross Roads and Hayes Gap suits you better?
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Sources: Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG and Mid-Western Regional 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.