Evans Head vs The Gap: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Evans Head and The Gap are both Richmond Valley rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 568.6 km and 565.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, 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.
Evans Head
The Gap
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Evans Head | The Gap | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,329 | $1,329 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,729 | $23,729 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,529 | $8,529 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Evans Head | The Gap | 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 — Evans Head vs The Gap (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Evans Head and The 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, $8,529 and $8,529 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Evans Head cumulative | The Gap cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,729 | $23,729 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $73,344 | $73,344 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $125,980 | $125,980 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $272,026 | $272,026 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Evans Head or The Gap cheaper to live in?
Evans Head is cheaper to run by car at $23,729 per year versus $23,729 for The Gap, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Evans Head and The Gap?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,329 in Evans Head (Richmond Valley rates (OLG) and $1,329 in The Gap (Richmond Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Evans Head and $1,300 in The 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 Evans Head and The Gap?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Evans Head and $17,600 from The Gap to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Evans Head and $2,400 from The Gap.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Evans Head and The Gap?
At 3% annual cost growth, Evans Head costs a cumulative $272,026 and The Gap costs $272,026 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Evans Head. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Evans Head and The Gap 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 Richmond Valley 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.