Freemans Reach vs Richmond Lowlands: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Freemans Reach and Richmond Lowlands are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 51.7 km and 53.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $180 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 →Freemans Reach
Richmond Lowlands
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Freemans Reach | Richmond Lowlands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,180 | $6,000 | +$180 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $3,250 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,826 | $12,646 | +$180 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,046 | $9,046 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Freemans Reach | Richmond Lowlands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Freemans Reach vs Richmond Lowlands (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Freemans Reach and Richmond Lowlands cost within $180 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,064, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $180 per year. Richmond Lowlands is 53.4 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $9,046 and $9,046 a year, so the $180 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Freemans Reach cumulative | Richmond Lowlands cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,826 | $12,646 | $180 |
| Year 3 | $39,644 | $39,088 | $556 |
| Year 5 | $68,095 | $67,139 | $956 |
| Year 10 | $147,036 | $144,972 | $2,064 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Freemans Reach or Richmond Lowlands cheaper to live in?
Richmond Lowlands is cheaper to run by car at $12,646 per year versus $12,826 for Freemans Reach, a difference of $180 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Freemans Reach and Richmond Lowlands?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Freemans Reach (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,848 in Richmond Lowlands (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Freemans Reach and $1,548 in Richmond Lowlands. 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 Freemans Reach and Richmond Lowlands?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,180 from Freemans Reach and $6,000 from Richmond Lowlands to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Freemans Reach and $2,400 from Richmond Lowlands.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Freemans Reach and Richmond Lowlands?
At 3% annual cost growth, Freemans Reach costs a cumulative $147,036 and Richmond Lowlands costs $144,972 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,064 in favour of Richmond Lowlands. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Freemans Reach and Richmond Lowlands 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: Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in and Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in 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.