Mcgraths Hill vs Pitt Town Bottoms: 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 Pitt Town Bottoms are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 44.4 km and 46.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Pitt Town Bottoms runs $376 a year cheaper than Mcgraths Hill, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,310.
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
Pitt Town Bottoms
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mcgraths Hill | Pitt Town Bottoms | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,677 | $6,601 | +$76 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $2,950 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,323 | $12,947 | +$376 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,046 | $8,746 | +$300 |
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 | Pitt Town Bottoms | 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 Pitt Town Bottoms (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Pitt Town Bottoms costs $376 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,310 in favour of Pitt Town Bottoms.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Mcgraths Hill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $9,046 from Mcgraths Hill versus $8,746 from Pitt Town Bottoms.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mcgraths Hill cumulative | Pitt Town Bottoms cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,323 | $12,947 | $376 |
| Year 3 | $41,180 | $40,018 | $1,162 |
| Year 5 | $70,734 | $68,737 | $1,997 |
| Year 10 | $152,733 | $148,423 | $4,310 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mcgraths Hill or Pitt Town Bottoms cheaper to live in?
Pitt Town Bottoms is cheaper to run by car at $12,947 per year versus $13,323 for Mcgraths Hill, a difference of $376 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 Pitt Town Bottoms?
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 Pitt Town Bottoms (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Mcgraths Hill and $1,548 in Pitt Town Bottoms. 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 Pitt Town Bottoms?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,677 from Mcgraths Hill and $6,601 from Pitt Town Bottoms to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mcgraths Hill and $2,400 from Pitt Town Bottoms.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mcgraths Hill and Pitt Town Bottoms?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mcgraths Hill costs a cumulative $152,733 and Pitt Town Bottoms costs $148,423 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,310 in favour of Pitt Town Bottoms. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mcgraths Hill and Pitt Town Bottoms 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.