Beecroft vs Cheltenham, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Beecroft and Cheltenham are both Hornsby rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 18.6 km and 17.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $20 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.
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Cheltenham
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Beecroft | Cheltenham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,541 | $1,541 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,988 | $4,758 | +$230 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,850 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,677 | $9,697 | -$20 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,075 | $7,325 | -$250 |
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 | Beecroft | Cheltenham | 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, Beecroft vs Cheltenham (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Beecroft and Cheltenham cost within $20 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $229, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,075 from Beecroft versus $7,325 from Cheltenham.
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 Cheltenham by $230 a year, $4,758 against $4,988.
- Building insurance favours Beecroft by $250 a year, $1,600 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 medium in Cheltenham against low in Beecroft, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Beecroft cumulative | Cheltenham cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,677 | $9,697 | $20 |
| Year 3 | $29,911 | $29,972 | $61 |
| Year 5 | $51,377 | $51,483 | $106 |
| Year 10 | $110,936 | $111,165 | $229 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beecroft or Cheltenham cheaper to live in?
Beecroft is cheaper to run by car at $9,677 per year versus $9,697 for Cheltenham, a difference of $20 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Beecroft and Cheltenham?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Beecroft (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $1,541 in Cheltenham (Hornsby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Beecroft and $1,548 in Cheltenham. 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 Beecroft and Cheltenham?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,988 from Beecroft and $4,758 from Cheltenham to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Beecroft and $2,386 from Cheltenham.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Beecroft and Cheltenham?
At 3% annual cost growth, Beecroft costs a cumulative $110,936 and Cheltenham costs $111,165 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $229 in favour of Beecroft. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Beecroft and Cheltenham suits you better?
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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.