Mckees Hill vs Tomki: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mckees Hill (Lismore rates (OLG) and Tomki (Richmond Valley rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
The two sit within $205 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 →Mckees Hill
Tomki
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mckees Hill | Tomki | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,534 | $1,329 | +$205 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,450 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,484 | $23,279 | +$205 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,684 | $7,479 | +$205 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mckees Hill | Tomki | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Mckees Hill vs Tomki (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mckees Hill and Tomki cost within $205 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,350, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $205 per year.
On public transport the gap is $205 per year, $7,684 from Mckees Hill versus $7,479 from Tomki.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Tomki by $205 a year, $1,329 against $1,534.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,450 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
The catchment state school scores 4.9 in Mckees Hill against 2.5 in Tomki, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mckees Hill cumulative | Tomki cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,484 | $23,279 | $205 |
| Year 3 | $72,587 | $71,953 | $634 |
| Year 5 | $124,680 | $123,591 | $1,089 |
| Year 10 | $269,218 | $266,868 | $2,350 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mckees Hill or Tomki cheaper to live in?
Tomki is cheaper to run by car at $23,279 per year versus $23,484 for Mckees Hill, a difference of $205 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mckees Hill and Tomki?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Mckees Hill (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,329 in Tomki (Richmond Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Mckees Hill and $1,300 in Tomki. 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 Mckees Hill and Tomki?
Mckees Hill carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Tomki carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Public transport costs $2,400 from Mckees Hill and $2,400 from Tomki.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mckees Hill and Tomki?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mckees Hill costs a cumulative $269,218 and Tomki costs $266,868 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,350 in favour of Tomki. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mckees Hill and Tomki 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: Lismore rates (OLG and Richmond Valley rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.