Ashfield vs Summer Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ashfield and Summer Hill are both Inner West rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 8.1 km and 7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Summer Hill runs $302 a year cheaper than Ashfield, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,462.
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 →Ashfield
Summer Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ashfield | Summer Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,401 | $1,401 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,460 | $2,158 | +$302 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,709 | $7,407 | +$302 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,169 | $7,169 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Ashfield | Summer Hill | 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 — Ashfield vs Summer Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Summer Hill costs $302 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,462 in favour of Summer Hill.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $302 per year. Ashfield is 8.1 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, $7,169 and $7,169 a year, so the $302 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ashfield cumulative | Summer Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,709 | $7,407 | $302 |
| Year 3 | $23,828 | $22,894 | $934 |
| Year 5 | $40,928 | $39,325 | $1,603 |
| Year 10 | $88,375 | $84,913 | $3,462 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ashfield or Summer Hill cheaper to live in?
Summer Hill is cheaper to run by car at $7,407 per year versus $7,709 for Ashfield, a difference of $302 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ashfield and Summer Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,401 in Ashfield (Inner West rates (OLG) and $1,401 in Summer Hill (Inner West rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Ashfield and $1,548 in Summer Hill. 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 Ashfield and Summer Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,460 from Ashfield and $2,158 from Summer Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Ashfield and $1,920 from Summer Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ashfield and Summer Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ashfield costs a cumulative $88,375 and Summer Hill costs $84,913 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,462 in favour of Summer Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ashfield and Summer Hill 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: Inner West 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.