Ashbury vs Ashfield, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ashbury (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and Ashfield (Inner West rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (9.3 km and 8.1 km).
Ashfield runs $304 a year cheaper than Ashbury, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,485.
Over 10 years, Ashfield costs about $3,500 less to run than Ashbury. That's about $7 a week.
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Ashfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ashbury | Ashfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,401 | -$24 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,872 | $2,544 | +$328 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,647 | $7,343 | +$304 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,695 | $6,719 | -$24 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Ashbury | Ashfield | 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, Ashbury vs Ashfield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ashfield costs $304 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,485 in favour of Ashfield.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $328 per year. Ashbury is 9.3 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, $6,695 and $6,719 a year, so the $304 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Ashbury by $24 a year, $1,377 against $1,401.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Ashfield by $328 a year, $2,544 against $2,872.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ashbury cumulative | Ashfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,647 | $7,343 | $304 |
| Year 3 | $23,636 | $22,696 | $940 |
| Year 5 | $40,599 | $38,985 | $1,614 |
| Year 10 | $87,664 | $84,179 | $3,485 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ashbury or Ashfield cheaper to live in?
Ashfield is cheaper to run by car at $7,343 per year versus $7,647 for Ashbury, a difference of $304 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ashbury and Ashfield?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Ashbury (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,401 in Ashfield (Inner West rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Ashbury and $1,548 in Ashfield. 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 Ashbury and Ashfield?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,872 from Ashbury and $2,544 from Ashfield to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Ashbury and $1,920 from Ashfield.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ashbury and Ashfield?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ashbury costs a cumulative $87,664 and Ashfield costs $84,179 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,485 in favour of Ashfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ashbury and Ashfield suits you better?
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Sources: Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG and Inner West rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.