Box Hill vs Grantham Farm, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Box Hill (The Hills rates (OLG) and Grantham Farm (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 (37.4 km and 38.7 km).
The two sit within $171 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, Box Hill costs about $2,000 less to run than Grantham Farm. That's about $4 a week.
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Grantham Farm
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Box Hill | Grantham Farm | 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 | $6,959 | $6,981 | -$22 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,650 | $1,700 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,418 | $11,589 | -$171 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,859 | $7,008 | -$149 |
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 | Box Hill | Grantham Farm | 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, Box Hill vs Grantham Farm (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Box Hill and Grantham Farm cost within $171 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,960, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $99 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,859 and $7,008 a year, so the $171 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Box Hill by $99 a year, $1,261 against $1,360.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Box Hill by $22 a year, $6,959 against $6,981.
- Building insurance favours Box Hill by $50 a year, $1,650 against $1,700.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Box Hill against low in Grantham Farm, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Grantham Farm against low in Box Hill, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.1 in Box Hill against 5.7 in Grantham Farm, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Box Hill cumulative | Grantham Farm cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,418 | $11,589 | $171 |
| Year 3 | $35,292 | $35,820 | $528 |
| Year 5 | $60,620 | $61,528 | $908 |
| Year 10 | $130,895 | $132,855 | $1,960 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Box Hill or Grantham Farm cheaper to live in?
Box Hill is cheaper to run by car at $11,418 per year versus $11,589 for Grantham Farm, a difference of $171 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Box Hill and Grantham Farm?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,261 in Box Hill (The Hills rates (OLG) and $1,360 in Grantham Farm (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Box Hill and $1,548 in Grantham Farm. 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 Box Hill and Grantham Farm?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,959 from Box Hill and $6,981 from Grantham Farm to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Box Hill and $2,400 from Grantham Farm.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Box Hill and Grantham Farm?
At 3% annual cost growth, Box Hill costs a cumulative $130,895 and Grantham Farm costs $132,855 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,960 in favour of Box Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Box Hill and Grantham Farm suits you better?
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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.