Findon Creek vs Gradys Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Findon Creek and Gradys Creek are both Kyogle rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 632.5 km and 632.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Findon Creek runs $400 a year cheaper than Gradys Creek, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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 →Findon Creek
Gradys Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Findon Creek | Gradys Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,320 | $1,320 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,220 | $22,620 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,020 | $7,420 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Findon Creek | Gradys Creek | 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 — Findon Creek vs Gradys Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Findon Creek costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Findon Creek.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,020 from Findon Creek versus $7,420 from Gradys Creek.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Findon Creek cumulative | Gradys Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,220 | $22,620 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $68,680 | $69,916 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $117,969 | $120,093 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $254,727 | $259,313 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Findon Creek or Gradys Creek cheaper to live in?
Findon Creek is cheaper to run by car at $22,220 per year versus $22,620 for Gradys Creek, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Findon Creek and Gradys Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,320 in Findon Creek (Kyogle rates (OLG) and $1,320 in Gradys Creek (Kyogle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Findon Creek and $1,300 in Gradys Creek. 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 Findon Creek and Gradys Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Findon Creek and $17,600 from Gradys Creek to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Findon Creek and $2,400 from Gradys Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Findon Creek and Gradys Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Findon Creek costs a cumulative $254,727 and Gradys Creek costs $259,313 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Findon Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Findon Creek and Gradys Creek 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: Kyogle rates (OLG and Kyogle 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.