Grafton vs South Grafton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Grafton and South Grafton are both Clarence Valley rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Grafton runs $300 a year cheaper than South Grafton, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Grafton
South Grafton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Grafton | South Grafton | 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 | $2,800 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,739 | $24,039 | -$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,939 | $8,239 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Grafton | South Grafton | 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 — Grafton vs South Grafton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Grafton costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Grafton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. South Grafton carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,939 from Grafton versus $8,239 from South Grafton.
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 Grafton by $300 a year, $2,800 against $3,100.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in South Grafton against low in Grafton, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Grafton cumulative | South Grafton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,739 | $24,039 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $73,375 | $74,302 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $126,034 | $127,626 | $1,592 |
| Year 10 | $272,141 | $275,580 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Grafton or South Grafton cheaper to live in?
Grafton is cheaper to run by car at $23,739 per year versus $24,039 for South Grafton, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Grafton and South Grafton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,439 in Grafton (Clarence Valley rates (OLG) and $1,439 in South Grafton (Clarence Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Grafton and $1,300 in South Grafton. 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 Grafton and South Grafton?
Grafton 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. South Grafton 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 Grafton and $2,400 from South Grafton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Grafton and South Grafton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Grafton costs a cumulative $272,141 and South Grafton costs $275,580 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Grafton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Grafton and South Grafton 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: 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.