Ashby Island vs Chatsworth: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ashby Island and Chatsworth are both Clarence Valley rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 529 km and 533.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Ashby Island
Chatsworth
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ashby Island | Chatsworth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,439 | $1,439 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,439 | $23,439 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,239 | $8,239 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Ashby Island | Chatsworth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
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 — Ashby Island vs Chatsworth (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ashby Island and Chatsworth cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,239 and $8,239 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ashby Island cumulative | Chatsworth cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,439 | $23,439 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,448 | $72,448 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $124,441 | $124,441 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $268,702 | $268,702 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ashby Island or Chatsworth cheaper to live in?
Ashby Island is cheaper to run by car at $23,439 per year versus $23,439 for Chatsworth, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ashby Island and Chatsworth?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,439 in Ashby Island (Clarence Valley rates (OLG) and $1,439 in Chatsworth (Clarence Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Ashby Island and $1,300 in Chatsworth. 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 Ashby Island and Chatsworth?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Ashby Island and $17,600 from Chatsworth to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Ashby Island and $2,400 from Chatsworth.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ashby Island and Chatsworth?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ashby Island costs a cumulative $268,702 and Chatsworth costs $268,702 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Ashby Island. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ashby Island and Chatsworth 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: Clarence Valley rates (OLG and Clarence Valley 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.