Ashcroft vs Liverpool: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ashcroft and Liverpool are both Liverpool rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 28.9 km and 27.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $98 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 →Ashcroft
Liverpool
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ashcroft | Liverpool | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,238 | $6,140 | +$98 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,462 | $11,364 | +$98 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,624 | $7,624 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Ashcroft | Liverpool | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Ashcroft vs Liverpool (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ashcroft and Liverpool cost within $98 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,123, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $98 per year. Ashcroft is 28.9 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, $7,624 and $7,624 a year, so the $98 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ashcroft cumulative | Liverpool cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,462 | $11,364 | $98 |
| Year 3 | $35,428 | $35,125 | $303 |
| Year 5 | $60,853 | $60,333 | $520 |
| Year 10 | $131,399 | $130,276 | $1,123 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ashcroft or Liverpool cheaper to live in?
Liverpool is cheaper to run by car at $11,364 per year versus $11,462 for Ashcroft, a difference of $98 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ashcroft and Liverpool?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Ashcroft (Liverpool rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Liverpool (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Ashcroft and $1,548 in Liverpool. 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 Ashcroft and Liverpool?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,238 from Ashcroft and $6,140 from Liverpool to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Ashcroft and $2,400 from Liverpool.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ashcroft and Liverpool?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ashcroft costs a cumulative $131,399 and Liverpool costs $130,276 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,123 in favour of Liverpool. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ashcroft and Liverpool 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: Liverpool rates (OLG and Liverpool 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.