North Richmond vs Richmond Lowlands: 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 Richmond and Richmond Lowlands are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 56.2 km and 53.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
North Richmond runs $1,012 a year cheaper than Richmond Lowlands, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,601.
Over 10 years, North Richmond costs about $11,600 less to run than Richmond Lowlands — the same as paying $11,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →North Richmond
Richmond Lowlands
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Richmond | Richmond Lowlands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,843 | $6,205 | -$362 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $3,250 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,839 | $12,851 | -$1,012 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,396 | $9,046 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | North Richmond | Richmond Lowlands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 Richmond vs Richmond Lowlands (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Richmond costs $1,012 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,601 in favour of North Richmond.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Richmond Lowlands carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $8,396 from North Richmond versus $9,046 from Richmond Lowlands.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,848 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Richmond by $362 a year, $5,843 against $6,205.
- Building insurance favours North Richmond by $650 a year, $2,600 against $3,250.
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 high in Richmond Lowlands against medium in North Richmond, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.2 in Richmond Lowlands against 5.6 in North Richmond, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North Richmond cumulative | Richmond Lowlands cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,839 | $12,851 | $1,012 |
| Year 3 | $36,593 | $39,721 | $3,128 |
| Year 5 | $62,855 | $68,228 | $5,373 |
| Year 10 | $135,721 | $147,322 | $11,601 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Richmond or Richmond Lowlands cheaper to live in?
North Richmond is cheaper to run by car at $11,839 per year versus $12,851 for Richmond Lowlands, a difference of $1,012 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in North Richmond and Richmond Lowlands?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in North Richmond (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,848 in Richmond Lowlands (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in North Richmond and $1,548 in Richmond Lowlands. 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 Richmond and Richmond Lowlands?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,843 from North Richmond and $6,205 from Richmond Lowlands to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from North Richmond and $2,400 from Richmond Lowlands.
What is the 10-year cost difference between North Richmond and Richmond Lowlands?
At 3% annual cost growth, North Richmond costs a cumulative $135,721 and Richmond Lowlands costs $147,322 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,601 in favour of North Richmond. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Richmond and Richmond Lowlands 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.