Carnes Hill vs Horningsea Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carnes Hill and Horningsea Park are both Liverpool rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 34 km and 34.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $38 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 →Carnes Hill
Horningsea Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carnes Hill | Horningsea Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,606 | $6,644 | -$38 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,380 | $11,418 | -$38 |
| 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 | Carnes Hill | Horningsea Park | 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 — Carnes Hill vs Horningsea Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carnes Hill and Horningsea Park cost within $38 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $436, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $38 per year. Horningsea Park is 34.8 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 $38 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carnes Hill cumulative | Horningsea Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,380 | $11,418 | $38 |
| Year 3 | $35,174 | $35,292 | $118 |
| Year 5 | $60,418 | $60,620 | $202 |
| Year 10 | $130,459 | $130,895 | $436 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carnes Hill or Horningsea Park cheaper to live in?
Carnes Hill is cheaper to run by car at $11,380 per year versus $11,418 for Horningsea Park, a difference of $38 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carnes Hill and Horningsea Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Carnes Hill (Liverpool rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Horningsea Park (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Carnes Hill and $1,548 in Horningsea Park. 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 Carnes Hill and Horningsea Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,606 from Carnes Hill and $6,644 from Horningsea Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Carnes Hill and $2,400 from Horningsea Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carnes Hill and Horningsea Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carnes Hill costs a cumulative $130,459 and Horningsea Park costs $130,895 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $436 in favour of Carnes Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carnes Hill and Horningsea Park 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.