Kurmond vs North Richmond, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kurmond and North Richmond are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 58.9 km and 56.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kurmond runs $364 a year cheaper than North Richmond, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,173.
Over 10 years, Kurmond costs about $4,200 less to run than North Richmond. That's about $8 a week.
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North Richmond
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kurmond | North Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,429 | $5,843 | -$414 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,650 | $1,600 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,475 | $10,839 | -$364 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,446 | $7,396 | +$50 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kurmond | North Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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, Kurmond vs North Richmond (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kurmond costs $364 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,173 in favour of Kurmond.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $414 per year. Kurmond is 58.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,446 and $7,396 a year, so the $364 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,848 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Kurmond by $414 a year, $5,429 against $5,843.
- Building insurance favours North Richmond by $50 a year, $1,600 against $1,650.
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 commute distance and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in North Richmond against low in Kurmond, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kurmond cumulative | North Richmond cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,475 | $10,839 | $364 |
| Year 3 | $32,377 | $33,502 | $1,125 |
| Year 5 | $55,613 | $57,546 | $1,933 |
| Year 10 | $120,084 | $124,257 | $4,173 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kurmond or North Richmond cheaper to live in?
Kurmond is cheaper to run by car at $10,475 per year versus $10,839 for North Richmond, a difference of $364 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kurmond and North Richmond?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Kurmond (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,848 in North Richmond (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kurmond and $1,548 in North Richmond. 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 Kurmond and North Richmond?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,429 from Kurmond and $5,843 from North Richmond to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kurmond and $2,400 from North Richmond.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kurmond and North Richmond?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kurmond costs a cumulative $120,084 and North Richmond costs $124,257 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,173 in favour of Kurmond. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kurmond and North Richmond suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.