Peak Hill vs Tomingley: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Peak Hill (Parkes rates (OLG) and Tomingley (Narromine rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
The two sit within $7 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 →Peak Hill
Tomingley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Peak Hill | Tomingley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,182 | $889 | +$293 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,482 | $23,489 | -$7 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,682 | $7,689 | -$7 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Peak Hill | Tomingley | 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 — Peak Hill vs Tomingley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Peak Hill and Tomingley cost within $7 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $80, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Tomingley carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,682 and $7,689 a year, so the $7 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Tomingley by $293 a year, $889 against $1,182.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Peak Hill by $300 a year, $2,800 against $3,100.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Tomingley against low in Peak Hill, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Peak Hill cumulative | Tomingley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,482 | $23,489 | $7 |
| Year 3 | $72,581 | $72,602 | $21 |
| Year 5 | $124,669 | $124,706 | $37 |
| Year 10 | $269,195 | $269,275 | $80 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Peak Hill or Tomingley cheaper to live in?
Peak Hill is cheaper to run by car at $23,482 per year versus $23,489 for Tomingley, a difference of $7 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Peak Hill and Tomingley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,182 in Peak Hill (Parkes rates (OLG) and $889 in Tomingley (Narromine rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Peak Hill and $1,300 in Tomingley. 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 Peak Hill and Tomingley?
Peak 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. Tomingley 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 Peak Hill and $2,400 from Tomingley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Peak Hill and Tomingley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Peak Hill costs a cumulative $269,195 and Tomingley costs $269,275 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $80 in favour of Peak Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Peak Hill and Tomingley 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: Parkes rates (OLG and Narromine 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.