Austral vs Horningsea Park, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Austral and Horningsea Park are both Liverpool rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 38.3 km and 34.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $105 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, Horningsea Park costs about $1,200 less to run than Austral. That's about $2 a week.
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Horningsea Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Austral | Horningsea Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,976 | $6,871 | +$105 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,600 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,500 | $11,395 | +$105 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,924 | $6,924 | - |
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 | Austral | Horningsea Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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, Austral vs Horningsea Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Austral and Horningsea Park cost within $105 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,204, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $105 per year. Austral is 38.3 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, $6,924 and $6,924 a year, so the $105 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Horningsea Park by $105 a year, $6,871 against $6,976.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,600 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Austral cumulative | Horningsea Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,500 | $11,395 | $105 |
| Year 3 | $35,545 | $35,221 | $324 |
| Year 5 | $61,055 | $60,498 | $557 |
| Year 10 | $131,835 | $130,631 | $1,204 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Austral or Horningsea Park cheaper to live in?
Horningsea Park is cheaper to run by car at $11,395 per year versus $11,500 for Austral, a difference of $105 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Austral and Horningsea Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Austral (Liverpool rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Horningsea Park (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Austral and $1,548 in Horningsea Park. 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 Austral and Horningsea Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,976 from Austral and $6,871 from Horningsea Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Austral and $2,400 from Horningsea Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Austral and Horningsea Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Austral costs a cumulative $131,835 and Horningsea Park costs $130,631 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,204 in favour of Horningsea Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Austral and Horningsea Park suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Liverpool rates (OLG and Liverpool 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.