Carnes Hill vs Hoxton Park, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carnes Hill and Hoxton Park are both Liverpool rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 34 km and 33 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $43 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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Hoxton Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carnes Hill | Hoxton Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,831 | $6,774 | +$57 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,700 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,355 | $11,398 | -$43 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,924 | $7,024 | -$100 |
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 | Carnes Hill | Hoxton Park | 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, Carnes Hill vs Hoxton Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carnes Hill and Hoxton Park cost within $43 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $493, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $100 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,924 and $7,024 a year, so the $43 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Hoxton Park by $57 a year, $6,774 against $6,831.
- Building insurance favours Carnes Hill by $100 a year, $1,600 against $1,700.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Hoxton Park against low in Carnes Hill, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carnes Hill cumulative | Hoxton Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,355 | $11,398 | $43 |
| Year 3 | $35,097 | $35,230 | $133 |
| Year 5 | $60,285 | $60,514 | $229 |
| Year 10 | $130,172 | $130,665 | $493 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carnes Hill or Hoxton Park cheaper to live in?
Carnes Hill is cheaper to run by car at $11,355 per year versus $11,398 for Hoxton Park, a difference of $43 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carnes Hill and Hoxton Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Carnes Hill (Liverpool rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Hoxton Park (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Carnes Hill and $1,548 in Hoxton 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 Hoxton Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,831 from Carnes Hill and $6,774 from Hoxton Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Carnes Hill and $2,400 from Hoxton Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carnes Hill and Hoxton Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carnes Hill costs a cumulative $130,172 and Hoxton Park costs $130,665 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $493 in favour of Carnes Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carnes Hill and Hoxton Park suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.