Bella Vista vs Glenwood, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bella Vista (The Hills rates (OLG) and Glenwood (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (27.3 km and 29.5 km).
The two sit within $27 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.
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 →Bella Vista
Glenwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bella Vista | Glenwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,261 | $1,360 | -$99 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,284 | $6,508 | -$224 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,500 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,943 | $10,916 | +$27 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,059 | $6,808 | +$251 |
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 | Bella Vista | Glenwood | 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, Bella Vista vs Glenwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bella Vista and Glenwood cost within $27 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $309, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year.
On public transport the gap is $251 per year, $7,059 from Bella Vista versus $6,808 from Glenwood.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Bella Vista by $99 a year, $1,261 against $1,360.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bella Vista by $224 a year, $6,284 against $6,508.
- Building insurance favours Glenwood by $350 a year, $1,500 against $1,850.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bella Vista cumulative | Glenwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,943 | $10,916 | $27 |
| Year 3 | $33,824 | $33,740 | $84 |
| Year 5 | $58,098 | $57,955 | $143 |
| Year 10 | $125,449 | $125,140 | $309 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bella Vista or Glenwood cheaper to live in?
Glenwood is cheaper to run by car at $10,916 per year versus $10,943 for Bella Vista, a difference of $27 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bella Vista and Glenwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,261 in Bella Vista (The Hills rates (OLG) and $1,360 in Glenwood (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bella Vista and $1,548 in Glenwood. 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 Bella Vista and Glenwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,284 from Bella Vista and $6,508 from Glenwood to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bella Vista and $2,400 from Glenwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bella Vista and Glenwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bella Vista costs a cumulative $125,449 and Glenwood costs $125,140 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $309 in favour of Glenwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bella Vista and Glenwood 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: The Hills rates (OLG and Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for 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.