Busby vs Heckenberg: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Busby and Heckenberg are both Liverpool rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 30.6 km and 29.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $75 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 →Busby
Heckenberg
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Busby | Heckenberg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,385 | $6,310 | +$75 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,159 | $11,084 | +$75 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,174 | $7,174 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Busby | Heckenberg | 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 — Busby vs Heckenberg (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Busby and Heckenberg cost within $75 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $859, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $75 per year. Busby is 30.6 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, $7,174 and $7,174 a year, so the $75 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Busby cumulative | Heckenberg cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,159 | $11,084 | $75 |
| Year 3 | $34,491 | $34,260 | $231 |
| Year 5 | $59,245 | $58,846 | $399 |
| Year 10 | $127,925 | $127,066 | $859 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Busby or Heckenberg cheaper to live in?
Heckenberg is cheaper to run by car at $11,084 per year versus $11,159 for Busby, a difference of $75 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Busby and Heckenberg?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Busby (Liverpool rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Heckenberg (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Busby and $1,548 in Heckenberg. 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 Busby and Heckenberg?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,385 from Busby and $6,310 from Heckenberg to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Busby and $2,400 from Heckenberg.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Busby and Heckenberg?
At 3% annual cost growth, Busby costs a cumulative $127,925 and Heckenberg costs $127,066 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $859 in favour of Heckenberg. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Busby and Heckenberg 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: Liverpool rates (OLG and Liverpool 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.