North Albury vs Springdale Heights, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
North Albury and Springdale Heights are both Albury rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 2.3 km and 6.4 km from Albury CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
North Albury runs $1,177 a year cheaper than Springdale Heights, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,493.
Over 10 years, North Albury costs about $13,500 less to run than Springdale Heights. That's about $26 a week.
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Springdale Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Albury | Springdale Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,631 | $1,631 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $781 | $2,058 | -$1,277 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $781 | $2,058 | -$1,277 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,650 | $1,550 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,362 | $6,539 | -$1,177 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,362 | $6,539 | -$1,177 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | North Albury | Springdale Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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, North Albury vs Springdale Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Albury costs $1,177 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,493 in favour of North Albury.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,277 per year. Springdale Heights is 6.4 km from Albury CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $1,177 per year, $5,362 from North Albury versus $6,539 from Springdale Heights.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,631 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Albury by $1,277 a year, $781 against $2,058.
- Building insurance favours Springdale Heights by $100 a year, $1,550 against $1,650.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in North Albury against low in Springdale Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Springdale Heights against low in North Albury, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North Albury cumulative | Springdale Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,362 | $6,539 | $1,177 |
| Year 3 | $16,573 | $20,211 | $3,638 |
| Year 5 | $28,468 | $34,716 | $6,248 |
| Year 10 | $61,469 | $74,962 | $13,493 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Albury or Springdale Heights cheaper to live in?
North Albury is cheaper to run by car at $5,362 per year versus $6,539 for Springdale Heights, a difference of $1,177 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in North Albury and Springdale Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,631 in North Albury (Albury rates (OLG) and $1,631 in Springdale Heights (Albury rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in North Albury and $1,300 in Springdale Heights. 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 North Albury and Springdale Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $781 from North Albury and $2,058 from Springdale Heights to Albury CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between North Albury and Springdale Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, North Albury costs a cumulative $61,469 and Springdale Heights costs $74,962 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,493 in favour of North Albury. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Albury and Springdale Heights suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Albury rates (OLG and Albury rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.