Mcgraths Hill vs Mulgrave: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mcgraths Hill and Mulgrave are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 44.4 km and 44.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $12 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 →Mcgraths Hill
Mulgrave
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mcgraths Hill | Mulgrave | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,677 | $6,665 | +$12 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $3,250 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,323 | $13,311 | +$12 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,046 | $9,046 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mcgraths Hill | Mulgrave | 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 — Mcgraths Hill vs Mulgrave (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mcgraths Hill and Mulgrave cost within $12 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $137, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $12 per year. Mulgrave is 44.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $9,046 and $9,046 a year, so the $12 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mcgraths Hill cumulative | Mulgrave cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,323 | $13,311 | $12 |
| Year 3 | $41,180 | $41,143 | $37 |
| Year 5 | $70,734 | $70,670 | $64 |
| Year 10 | $152,733 | $152,596 | $137 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mcgraths Hill or Mulgrave cheaper to live in?
Mulgrave is cheaper to run by car at $13,311 per year versus $13,323 for Mcgraths Hill, a difference of $12 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mcgraths Hill and Mulgrave?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Mcgraths Hill (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,848 in Mulgrave (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Mcgraths Hill and $1,548 in Mulgrave. 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 Mcgraths Hill and Mulgrave?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,677 from Mcgraths Hill and $6,665 from Mulgrave to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mcgraths Hill and $2,400 from Mulgrave.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mcgraths Hill and Mulgrave?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mcgraths Hill costs a cumulative $152,733 and Mulgrave costs $152,596 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $137 in favour of Mulgrave. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mcgraths Hill and Mulgrave 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.