Blaxland vs Mount Riverview, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blaxland and Mount Riverview are both Blue Mountains rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 55.9 km and 55.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $94 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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Mount Riverview
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blaxland | Mount Riverview | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $2,157 | $2,157 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,885 | $5,979 | -$94 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $1,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,540 | $11,634 | -$94 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,055 | $8,055 | - |
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 | Blaxland | Mount Riverview | 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, Blaxland vs Mount Riverview (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blaxland and Mount Riverview cost within $94 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,078, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $94 per year. Blaxland is 55.9 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, $8,055 and $8,055 a year, so the $94 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,157 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Blaxland by $94 a year, $5,885 against $5,979.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,950 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 | Blaxland cumulative | Mount Riverview cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,540 | $11,634 | $94 |
| Year 3 | $35,669 | $35,960 | $291 |
| Year 5 | $61,267 | $61,766 | $499 |
| Year 10 | $132,293 | $133,371 | $1,078 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blaxland or Mount Riverview cheaper to live in?
Blaxland is cheaper to run by car at $11,540 per year versus $11,634 for Mount Riverview, a difference of $94 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blaxland and Mount Riverview?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,157 in Blaxland (Blue Mountains rates (OLG) and $2,157 in Mount Riverview (Blue Mountains rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Blaxland and $1,548 in Mount Riverview. 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 Blaxland and Mount Riverview?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,885 from Blaxland and $5,979 from Mount Riverview to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Blaxland and $2,400 from Mount Riverview.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blaxland and Mount Riverview?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blaxland costs a cumulative $132,293 and Mount Riverview costs $133,371 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,078 in favour of Blaxland. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blaxland and Mount Riverview suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.