Mcdougalls Hill vs Rixs Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mcdougalls Hill and Rixs Creek are both Singleton rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 147 km and 149.8 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.
Mcdougalls Hill
Rixs Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mcdougalls Hill | Rixs Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| 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) | $22,241 | $22,241 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,041 | $7,041 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mcdougalls Hill | Rixs Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Mcdougalls Hill vs Rixs Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mcdougalls Hill and Rixs Creek 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, $7,041 and $7,041 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mcdougalls Hill cumulative | Rixs Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,241 | $22,241 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $68,745 | $68,745 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $118,080 | $118,080 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $254,968 | $254,968 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mcdougalls Hill or Rixs Creek cheaper to live in?
Mcdougalls Hill is cheaper to run by car at $22,241 per year versus $22,241 for Rixs Creek, 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 Mcdougalls Hill and Rixs Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Mcdougalls Hill (Singleton rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Rixs Creek (Singleton rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Mcdougalls Hill and $1,300 in Rixs Creek. 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 Mcdougalls Hill and Rixs Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Mcdougalls Hill and $17,600 from Rixs Creek to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mcdougalls Hill and $2,400 from Rixs Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mcdougalls Hill and Rixs Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mcdougalls Hill costs a cumulative $254,968 and Rixs Creek costs $254,968 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Mcdougalls Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mcdougalls Hill and Rixs Creek 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: Singleton rates (OLG and Singleton 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.