Maclean vs Townsend: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Maclean and Townsend are both Clarence Valley rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 525.9 km and 525.2 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.
Maclean
Townsend
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Maclean | Townsend | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,439 | $1,439 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,439 | $23,439 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,239 | $8,239 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Maclean | Townsend | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
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 — Maclean vs Townsend (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Maclean and Townsend 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, $8,239 and $8,239 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Maclean cumulative | Townsend cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,439 | $23,439 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,448 | $72,448 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $124,441 | $124,441 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $268,702 | $268,702 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maclean or Townsend cheaper to live in?
Maclean is cheaper to run by car at $23,439 per year versus $23,439 for Townsend, 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 Maclean and Townsend?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,439 in Maclean (Clarence Valley rates (OLG) and $1,439 in Townsend (Clarence Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Maclean and $1,300 in Townsend. 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 Maclean and Townsend?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Maclean and $17,600 from Townsend to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Maclean and $2,400 from Townsend.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Maclean and Townsend?
At 3% annual cost growth, Maclean costs a cumulative $268,702 and Townsend costs $268,702 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Maclean. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Maclean and Townsend 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.
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.