Carnes Hill vs West Hoxton: 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 West Hoxton are both Liverpool rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 34 km and 36.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Carnes Hill runs $394 a year cheaper than West Hoxton, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,517.
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
West Hoxton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carnes Hill | West Hoxton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,831 | $6,925 | -$94 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,150 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,605 | $11,999 | -$394 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,174 | $7,474 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Carnes Hill | West Hoxton | 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 West Hoxton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carnes Hill costs $394 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,517 in favour of Carnes Hill.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,174 from Carnes Hill versus $7,474 from West Hoxton.
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 Carnes Hill by $94 a year, $6,831 against $6,925.
- Building insurance favours Carnes Hill by $300 a year, $1,850 against $2,150.
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 West Hoxton against low in Carnes Hill, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carnes Hill cumulative | West Hoxton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,605 | $11,999 | $394 |
| Year 3 | $35,870 | $37,088 | $1,218 |
| Year 5 | $61,613 | $63,704 | $2,091 |
| Year 10 | $133,038 | $137,555 | $4,517 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carnes Hill or West Hoxton cheaper to live in?
Carnes Hill is cheaper to run by car at $11,605 per year versus $11,999 for West Hoxton, a difference of $394 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 West Hoxton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Carnes Hill (Liverpool rates (OLG) and $1,376 in West Hoxton (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Carnes Hill and $1,548 in West Hoxton. 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 West Hoxton?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,831 from Carnes Hill and $6,925 from West Hoxton to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Carnes Hill and $2,400 from West Hoxton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carnes Hill and West Hoxton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carnes Hill costs a cumulative $133,038 and West Hoxton costs $137,555 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,517 in favour of Carnes Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carnes Hill and West Hoxton 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.