Brownlow Hill vs Ellis Lane: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Brownlow Hill (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and Ellis Lane (Camden rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (54.7 km and 52.6 km).
Ellis Lane runs $680 a year cheaper than Brownlow Hill, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,795.
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 →Brownlow Hill
Ellis Lane
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brownlow Hill | Ellis Lane | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,195 | $1,573 | +$622 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,846 | $6,088 | -$242 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $1,850 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,739 | $11,059 | +$680 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,293 | $7,371 | +$922 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Brownlow Hill | Ellis Lane | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Brownlow Hill vs Ellis Lane (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ellis Lane costs $680 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,795 in favour of Ellis Lane.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $622 per year.
On public transport the gap is $922 per year, $8,293 from Brownlow Hill versus $7,371 from Ellis Lane.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brownlow Hill cumulative | Ellis Lane cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,739 | $11,059 | $680 |
| Year 3 | $36,284 | $34,182 | $2,102 |
| Year 5 | $62,324 | $58,714 | $3,610 |
| Year 10 | $134,574 | $126,779 | $7,795 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brownlow Hill or Ellis Lane cheaper to live in?
Ellis Lane is cheaper to run by car at $11,059 per year versus $11,739 for Brownlow Hill, a difference of $680 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brownlow Hill and Ellis Lane?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,195 in Brownlow Hill (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and $1,573 in Ellis Lane (Camden rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Brownlow Hill and $1,548 in Ellis Lane. 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 Brownlow Hill and Ellis Lane?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,846 from Brownlow Hill and $6,088 from Ellis Lane to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Brownlow Hill and $2,400 from Ellis Lane.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brownlow Hill and Ellis Lane?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brownlow Hill costs a cumulative $134,574 and Ellis Lane costs $126,779 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,795 in favour of Ellis Lane. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brownlow Hill and Ellis Lane 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: Wollondilly rates (OLG and Camden 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.