Asquith vs Hornsby Heights: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Asquith and Hornsby Heights are both Hornsby rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 21.8 km and 25.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Asquith runs $948 a year cheaper than Hornsby Heights, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,868.
Over 10 years, Asquith costs about $10,900 less to run than Hornsby Heights — the same as paying $10,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Asquith
Hornsby Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Asquith | Hornsby Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $1,541 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,359 | $5,907 | -$548 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,550 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,100 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,598 | $11,546 | -$948 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,639 | $8,039 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Asquith | Hornsby Heights | 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 — Asquith vs Hornsby Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Asquith costs $948 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,868 in favour of Asquith.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $548 per year. Hornsby Heights is 25.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,639 from Asquith versus $8,039 from Hornsby Heights.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Asquith cumulative | Hornsby Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,598 | $11,546 | $948 |
| Year 3 | $32,757 | $35,688 | $2,931 |
| Year 5 | $56,266 | $61,299 | $5,033 |
| Year 10 | $121,494 | $132,362 | $10,868 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Asquith or Hornsby Heights cheaper to live in?
Asquith is cheaper to run by car at $10,598 per year versus $11,546 for Hornsby Heights, a difference of $948 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Asquith and Hornsby Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Asquith (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $1,541 in Hornsby Heights (Hornsby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Asquith and $1,548 in Hornsby Heights. 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 Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,359 from Asquith and $5,907 from Hornsby Heights to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Asquith and $2,400 from Hornsby Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Asquith and Hornsby Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Asquith costs a cumulative $121,494 and Hornsby Heights costs $132,362 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,868 in favour of Asquith. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Asquith and Hornsby Heights is best to actually live in?
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.