Artarmon vs Chatswood: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Artarmon and Chatswood are both Willoughby rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 6.8 km and 8.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Artarmon runs $534 a year cheaper than Chatswood, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,122.
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 →Artarmon
Chatswood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Artarmon | Chatswood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,175 | $2,709 | -$534 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,914 | $7,448 | -$534 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,659 | $6,659 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Artarmon | Chatswood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Artarmon vs Chatswood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Artarmon costs $534 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,122 in favour of Artarmon.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $534 per year. Chatswood is 8.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,659 and $6,659 a year, so the $534 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,341 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Artarmon by $534 a year, $2,175 against $2,709.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Artarmon cumulative | Chatswood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,914 | $7,448 | $534 |
| Year 3 | $21,370 | $23,021 | $1,651 |
| Year 5 | $36,707 | $39,542 | $2,835 |
| Year 10 | $79,261 | $85,383 | $6,122 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Artarmon or Chatswood cheaper to live in?
Artarmon is cheaper to run by car at $6,914 per year versus $7,448 for Chatswood, a difference of $534 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Artarmon and Chatswood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Artarmon (Willoughby rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Chatswood (Willoughby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Artarmon and $1,548 in Chatswood. 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 Artarmon and Chatswood?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,175 from Artarmon and $2,709 from Chatswood to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Artarmon and $1,920 from Chatswood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Artarmon and Chatswood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Artarmon costs a cumulative $79,261 and Chatswood costs $85,383 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,122 in favour of Artarmon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Artarmon and Chatswood 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: Willoughby rates (OLG and Willoughby 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.