Asquith vs Hornsby Heights, 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 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 $866 a year cheaper than Hornsby Heights, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,927.
Over 10 years, Asquith costs about $9,900 less to run than Hornsby Heights. That's about $19 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Sydney suburbs that fit your budget →Asquith
Hornsby Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Asquith | Hornsby Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,541 | $1,541 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,542 | $6,108 | -$566 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,850 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,100 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,181 | $11,047 | -$866 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,039 | $7,339 | -$300 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Asquith | Hornsby Heights | 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 Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Asquith costs $866 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,927 in favour of Asquith.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $566 per year. Hornsby Heights is 25.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,039 from Asquith versus $7,339 from Hornsby Heights.
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 Asquith by $566 a year, $5,542 against $6,108.
- Building insurance favours Asquith by $300 a year, $1,550 against $1,850.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Hornsby Heights against medium in Asquith, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Asquith cumulative | Hornsby Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,181 | $11,047 | $866 |
| Year 3 | $31,468 | $34,145 | $2,677 |
| Year 5 | $54,052 | $58,650 | $4,598 |
| Year 10 | $116,714 | $126,641 | $9,927 |
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 $10,181 per year versus $11,047 for Hornsby Heights, a difference of $866 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 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 $5,542 from Asquith and $6,108 from Hornsby Heights to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $116,714 and Hornsby Heights costs $126,641 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,927 in favour of Asquith. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Asquith and Hornsby Heights suits you better?
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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.