Asquith vs Hornsby: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Asquith and Hornsby are both Hornsby rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 21.8 km and 21.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $48 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 →Asquith
Hornsby
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Asquith | Hornsby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $1,541 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,542 | $5,494 | +$48 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,781 | $10,733 | +$48 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,639 | $7,639 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Asquith | Hornsby | 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 — Asquith vs Hornsby (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Asquith and Hornsby cost within $48 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $550, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $48 per year. Asquith is 21.8 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, $7,639 and $7,639 a year, so the $48 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,541 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Hornsby by $48 a year, $5,494 against $5,542.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
The catchment state school scores 9.7 in Hornsby against 8.6 in Asquith, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Asquith cumulative | Hornsby cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,781 | $10,733 | $48 |
| Year 3 | $33,323 | $33,175 | $148 |
| Year 5 | $57,238 | $56,983 | $255 |
| Year 10 | $123,592 | $123,042 | $550 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Asquith or Hornsby cheaper to live in?
Hornsby is cheaper to run by car at $10,733 per year versus $10,781 for Asquith, a difference of $48 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Asquith and Hornsby?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Asquith (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $1,541 in Hornsby (Hornsby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Asquith and $1,548 in Hornsby. 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 Asquith and Hornsby?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,542 from Asquith and $5,494 from Hornsby to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Asquith and $2,400 from Hornsby.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Asquith and Hornsby?
At 3% annual cost growth, Asquith costs a cumulative $123,592 and Hornsby costs $123,042 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $550 in favour of Hornsby. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Asquith and Hornsby 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: Hornsby rates (OLG and Hornsby rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.