Blackheath vs Govetts: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blackheath and Govetts are both Blue Mountains rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 87.9 km and 85.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $114 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. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Blackheath
Govetts
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blackheath | Govetts | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,157 | $2,157 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,713 | $3,599 | +$114 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,818 | $9,704 | +$114 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,505 | $8,505 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Blackheath | Govetts | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,098 | +$322 |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,679 | +$241 |
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 — Blackheath vs Govetts (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blackheath and Govetts cost within $114 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,307, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $114 per year. Blackheath is 87.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,505 and $8,505 a year, so the $114 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blackheath cumulative | Govetts cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,818 | $9,704 | $114 |
| Year 3 | $30,346 | $29,994 | $352 |
| Year 5 | $52,125 | $51,520 | $605 |
| Year 10 | $112,552 | $111,245 | $1,307 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blackheath or Govetts cheaper to live in?
Govetts is cheaper to run by car at $9,704 per year versus $9,818 for Blackheath, a difference of $114 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blackheath and Govetts?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,157 in Blackheath (Blue Mountains rates (OLG) and $2,157 in Govetts (Blue Mountains rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Blackheath and $1,548 in Govetts. 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 Blackheath and Govetts?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,713 from Blackheath and $3,599 from Govetts to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Blackheath and $2,400 from Govetts.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blackheath and Govetts?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blackheath costs a cumulative $112,552 and Govetts costs $111,245 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,307 in favour of Govetts. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blackheath and Govetts is best to actually live in?
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: Blue Mountains rates (OLG and Blue Mountains rates (OLG 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.