Asquith vs North Wahroonga: 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 (Hornsby rates (OLG) and North Wahroonga (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (21.8 km and 20.4 km).
Asquith runs $825 a year cheaper than North Wahroonga, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,458.
Over 10 years, Asquith costs about $9,500 less to run than North Wahroonga — the same as paying $9,500 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
North Wahroonga
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Asquith | North Wahroonga | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $2,189 | -$648 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,359 | $5,136 | +$223 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,550 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,598 | $11,423 | -$825 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,639 | $8,687 | -$1,048 |
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 | North Wahroonga | 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 North Wahroonga (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Asquith costs $825 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,458 in favour of Asquith.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $648 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,048 per year, $7,639 from Asquith versus $8,687 from North Wahroonga.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Asquith cumulative | North Wahroonga cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,598 | $11,423 | $825 |
| Year 3 | $32,757 | $35,307 | $2,550 |
| Year 5 | $56,266 | $60,646 | $4,380 |
| Year 10 | $121,494 | $130,952 | $9,458 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Asquith or North Wahroonga cheaper to live in?
Asquith is cheaper to run by car at $10,598 per year versus $11,423 for North Wahroonga, a difference of $825 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Asquith and North Wahroonga?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Asquith (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $2,189 in North Wahroonga (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Asquith and $1,548 in North Wahroonga. 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 North Wahroonga?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,359 from Asquith and $5,136 from North Wahroonga to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Asquith and $2,400 from North Wahroonga.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Asquith and North Wahroonga?
At 3% annual cost growth, Asquith costs a cumulative $121,494 and North Wahroonga costs $130,952 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,458 in favour of Asquith. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Asquith and North Wahroonga is best to actually live in?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Hornsby rates (OLG and Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in 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.