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Map of Central Macdonald
63.0 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Central Macdonald, NSW 2775

Living in a house in Central Macdonald costs about $11,574 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Central Macdonald sits 63.0 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs come in at $10,684, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,800 body corporate levy. At 63.0km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $2,278 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Hawkesbury City Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Running costs sit near the Hawkesbury City Council average, cheaper than 53% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $4,678, roughly 40% of the annual total.
Flood and bushfire risk are rated high here, which lifts home insurance. Full risk detail is in the free report.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$11,574
Driving · per year
$965/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$10,684
Incl. body corporate
$890/month
House vs unit difference
−$890
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in 2026-27) · average rate
$1,848
Water & sewerage
Sydney Water 2026-27
$1,548
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 63.0km from CBD · 192 days
$4,678
Home insurance
Estimated · flood High · fire High
$3,500
Total annual running cost
$11,574
($965/month)
Near Hawkesbury City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○ 4.8/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 53% of Hawkesbury City Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,720/yr
6,060 kWh
Unit
$2,209/yr
4,545 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Central Macdonald's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around Central Macdonald

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Unnamed, 4,806 m away, about a 60 minute walk. It is a ferry stop.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
0
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

Compare Central Macdonald with another suburb

Frequently asked questions about Central Macdonald

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Central Macdonald to the CBD?

Public transport saves Central Macdonald residents $2,278 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $4,678 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.

What are the council rates in Central Macdonald?

Central Macdonald falls under Hawkesbury City Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,848 per year for an owner-occupied house, based on OLG data uplifted by the council's IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,848 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Central Macdonald?

Running a unit in Central Macdonald costs approximately $10,684 per year by car or $8,406 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,848, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $1,800, and contents insurance of $810. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Central Macdonald close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Central Macdonald is Unnamed, a ferry stop about 4,806 m away, about a 60 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What shops and parks are in Central Macdonald?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Central Macdonald there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 0 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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Data sources: Council rates: Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in 2026-27). Water: Sydney Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.