Hamilton Valley vs North Albury: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hamilton Valley and North Albury are both Albury rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 460.3 km and 459.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $150 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 →Hamilton Valley
North Albury
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hamilton Valley | North Albury | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,631 | $1,631 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,150 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,531 | $22,681 | -$150 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,331 | $7,481 | -$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hamilton Valley | North Albury | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,453 | $2,453 | - |
| Unit | $1,944 | $1,944 | - |
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 — Hamilton Valley vs North Albury (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hamilton Valley and North Albury cost within $150 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,719, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. North Albury carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,331 and $7,481 a year, so the $150 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hamilton Valley cumulative | North Albury cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,531 | $22,681 | $150 |
| Year 3 | $69,641 | $70,105 | $464 |
| Year 5 | $119,620 | $120,417 | $797 |
| Year 10 | $258,293 | $260,012 | $1,719 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hamilton Valley or North Albury cheaper to live in?
Hamilton Valley is cheaper to run by car at $22,531 per year versus $22,681 for North Albury, a difference of $150 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hamilton Valley and North Albury?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,631 in Hamilton Valley (Albury rates (OLG) and $1,631 in North Albury (Albury rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Hamilton Valley and $1,300 in North Albury. 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 Hamilton Valley and North Albury?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Hamilton Valley and $17,600 from North Albury to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Hamilton Valley and $2,400 from North Albury.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hamilton Valley and North Albury?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hamilton Valley costs a cumulative $258,293 and North Albury costs $260,012 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,719 in favour of Hamilton Valley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hamilton Valley and North Albury 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: Albury rates (OLG and Albury 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.