Living in a house in Hay costs about $22,316 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Hay sits 592.8 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs come in at $21,656, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,500 body corporate levy. At 592.8km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $15,200 more per year than public transport users.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Hay to the CBD?
Public transport saves Hay residents $15,200 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $17,600 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Hay?
Hay falls under Hay Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $616 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 $616 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Hay?
Running a unit in Hay costs approximately $21,656 per year by car or $6,456 by public transport. This includes council rates of $616, water and sewerage $1,300, estimated body corporate levy of $1,500, and contents insurance of $640. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
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Data sources: Council rates: Hay rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Regional NSW estimate. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/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.