Agnes Banks vs Grose Vale: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Agnes Banks and Grose Vale are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 55.1 km and 59.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Grose Vale runs $1,382 a year cheaper than Agnes Banks, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,843.
Over 10 years, Grose Vale costs about $15,800 less to run than Agnes Banks — the same as paying $15,800 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 →Agnes Banks
Grose Vale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Agnes Banks | Grose Vale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,993 | $5,311 | +$682 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $2,550 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,639 | $11,257 | +$1,382 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,046 | $8,346 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Agnes Banks | Grose Vale | 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 — Agnes Banks vs Grose Vale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Grose Vale costs $1,382 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,843 in favour of Grose Vale.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Agnes Banks carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $9,046 from Agnes Banks versus $8,346 from Grose Vale.
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 Grose Vale by $682 a year, $5,311 against $5,993.
- Building insurance favours Grose Vale by $700 a year, $2,550 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 Agnes Banks against low in Grose Vale, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Grose Vale against medium in Agnes Banks, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Agnes Banks cumulative | Grose Vale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,639 | $11,257 | $1,382 |
| Year 3 | $39,066 | $34,794 | $4,272 |
| Year 5 | $67,102 | $59,765 | $7,337 |
| Year 10 | $144,892 | $129,049 | $15,843 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Agnes Banks or Grose Vale cheaper to live in?
Grose Vale is cheaper to run by car at $11,257 per year versus $12,639 for Agnes Banks, a difference of $1,382 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Agnes Banks and Grose Vale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Agnes Banks (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,848 in Grose Vale (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Agnes Banks and $1,548 in Grose Vale. 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 Agnes Banks and Grose Vale?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,993 from Agnes Banks and $5,311 from Grose Vale to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Agnes Banks and $2,400 from Grose Vale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Agnes Banks and Grose Vale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Agnes Banks costs a cumulative $144,892 and Grose Vale costs $129,049 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,843 in favour of Grose Vale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Agnes Banks and Grose Vale 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.