Artarmon vs St Leonards: 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 St Leonards are both Willoughby rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 6.8 km and 5.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
St Leonards runs $446 a year cheaper than Artarmon, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,113.
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
St Leonards
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Artarmon | St Leonards | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,175 | $1,729 | +$446 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,914 | $6,468 | +$446 |
| 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 | St Leonards | 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 St Leonards (2026-27)
What the numbers show
St Leonards costs $446 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,113 in favour of St Leonards.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $446 per year. Artarmon is 6.8 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 $446 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 St Leonards by $446 a year, $1,729 against $2,175.
- 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 | St Leonards cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,914 | $6,468 | $446 |
| Year 3 | $21,370 | $19,992 | $1,378 |
| Year 5 | $36,707 | $34,339 | $2,368 |
| Year 10 | $79,261 | $74,148 | $5,113 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Artarmon or St Leonards cheaper to live in?
St Leonards is cheaper to run by car at $6,468 per year versus $6,914 for Artarmon, a difference of $446 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Artarmon and St Leonards?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Artarmon (Willoughby rates (OLG) and $1,341 in St Leonards (Willoughby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Artarmon and $1,548 in St Leonards. 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 St Leonards?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,175 from Artarmon and $1,729 from St Leonards to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Artarmon and $1,920 from St Leonards.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Artarmon and St Leonards?
At 3% annual cost growth, Artarmon costs a cumulative $79,261 and St Leonards costs $74,148 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,113 in favour of St Leonards. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Artarmon and St Leonards 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.