Stony Chute vs Wadeville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Stony Chute (Lismore rates (OLG) and Wadeville (Kyogle rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
The two sit within $186 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 →Stony Chute
Wadeville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Stony Chute | Wadeville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,534 | $1,320 | +$214 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,034 | $23,220 | -$186 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,234 | $7,420 | -$186 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Stony Chute | Wadeville | 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 — Stony Chute vs Wadeville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Stony Chute and Wadeville cost within $186 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,132, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,234 and $7,420 a year, so the $186 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Wadeville by $214 a year, $1,320 against $1,534.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Stony Chute by $400 a year, $2,000 against $2,400.
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 high in Wadeville against medium in Stony Chute, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Stony Chute cumulative | Wadeville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,034 | $23,220 | $186 |
| Year 3 | $71,196 | $71,771 | $575 |
| Year 5 | $122,291 | $123,278 | $987 |
| Year 10 | $264,059 | $266,191 | $2,132 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stony Chute or Wadeville cheaper to live in?
Stony Chute is cheaper to run by car at $23,034 per year versus $23,220 for Wadeville, a difference of $186 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Stony Chute and Wadeville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Stony Chute (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,320 in Wadeville (Kyogle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Stony Chute and $1,300 in Wadeville. 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 Stony Chute and Wadeville?
Stony Chute 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. Wadeville 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 Stony Chute and $2,400 from Wadeville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Stony Chute and Wadeville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Stony Chute costs a cumulative $264,059 and Wadeville costs $266,191 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,132 in favour of Stony Chute. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Stony Chute and Wadeville 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 Kyogle 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.