Ashbury vs Ashfield: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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).
The two sit within $293 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here — the decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Ashbury
Ashfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ashbury | Ashfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,401 | -$24 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,777 | $2,460 | +$317 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,002 | $7,709 | +$293 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,145 | $7,169 | -$24 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Ashbury | Ashfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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
Ashbury and Ashfield cost within $293 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,359, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $317 per year. Ashbury is 9.3 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,145 and $7,169 a year, so the $293 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ashbury cumulative | Ashfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,002 | $7,709 | $293 |
| Year 3 | $24,733 | $23,828 | $905 |
| Year 5 | $42,484 | $40,928 | $1,556 |
| Year 10 | $91,734 | $88,375 | $3,359 |
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 $7,709 per year versus $8,002 for Ashbury, a difference of $293 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $2,777 from Ashbury and $2,460 from Ashfield to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $91,734 and Ashfield costs $88,375 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,359 in favour of Ashfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ashbury and Ashfield 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.