Lithgow vs Mckellars Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lithgow and Mckellars Park are both Lithgow rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 107 km and 107.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Lithgow
Mckellars Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lithgow | Mckellars Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,186 | $1,186 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,086 | $22,086 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $6,886 | $6,886 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lithgow | Mckellars Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,554 | $2,554 | - |
| Unit | $2,020 | $2,020 | - |
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 — Lithgow vs Mckellars Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lithgow and Mckellars Park cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,886 and $6,886 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lithgow cumulative | Mckellars Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,086 | $22,086 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $68,266 | $68,266 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $117,258 | $117,258 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $253,191 | $253,191 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lithgow or Mckellars Park cheaper to live in?
Lithgow is cheaper to run by car at $22,086 per year versus $22,086 for Mckellars Park, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lithgow and Mckellars Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,186 in Lithgow (Lithgow rates (OLG) and $1,186 in Mckellars Park (Lithgow rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lithgow and $1,300 in Mckellars Park. 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 Lithgow and Mckellars Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Lithgow and $17,600 from Mckellars Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lithgow and $2,400 from Mckellars Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lithgow and Mckellars Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lithgow costs a cumulative $253,191 and Mckellars Park costs $253,191 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Lithgow. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lithgow and Mckellars Park 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: Lithgow rates (OLG and Lithgow 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.