Deep Creek vs Malabugilmah: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Deep Creek and Malabugilmah are both Clarence Valley rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Malabugilmah runs $450 a year cheaper than Deep Creek, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,159.
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 →Deep Creek
Malabugilmah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Deep Creek | Malabugilmah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,439 | $1,439 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,400 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,789 | $23,339 | +$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,989 | $7,539 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Deep Creek | Malabugilmah | 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 — Deep Creek vs Malabugilmah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Malabugilmah costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,159 in favour of Malabugilmah.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Deep Creek carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,989 from Deep Creek versus $7,539 from Malabugilmah.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,439 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Malabugilmah by $450 a year, $2,400 against $2,850.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Deep Creek against low in Malabugilmah, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Deep Creek cumulative | Malabugilmah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,789 | $23,339 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $73,529 | $72,139 | $1,390 |
| Year 5 | $126,299 | $123,910 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $272,714 | $267,555 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Deep Creek or Malabugilmah cheaper to live in?
Malabugilmah is cheaper to run by car at $23,339 per year versus $23,789 for Deep Creek, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Deep Creek and Malabugilmah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,439 in Deep Creek (Clarence Valley rates (OLG) and $1,439 in Malabugilmah (Clarence Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Deep Creek and $1,300 in Malabugilmah. 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 Deep Creek and Malabugilmah?
Deep Creek 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. Malabugilmah 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. Public transport costs $2,400 from Deep Creek and $2,400 from Malabugilmah.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Deep Creek and Malabugilmah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Deep Creek costs a cumulative $272,714 and Malabugilmah costs $267,555 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of Malabugilmah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Deep Creek and Malabugilmah 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.
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Sources: Clarence Valley rates (OLG and Clarence Valley rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.