Cartwright vs Miller: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cartwright and Miller are both Liverpool rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 30.4 km and 30.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $41 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 →Cartwright
Miller
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cartwright | Miller | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,586 | $6,627 | -$41 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,810 | $11,851 | -$41 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,624 | $7,624 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cartwright | Miller | 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 — Cartwright vs Miller (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cartwright and Miller cost within $41 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $470, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $41 per year. Miller is 30.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,624 and $7,624 a year, so the $41 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 Cartwright by $41 a year, $6,586 against $6,627.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,300 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 4 in Cartwright against 3 in Miller, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cartwright cumulative | Miller cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,810 | $11,851 | $41 |
| Year 3 | $36,504 | $36,630 | $126 |
| Year 5 | $62,701 | $62,919 | $218 |
| Year 10 | $135,388 | $135,858 | $470 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cartwright or Miller cheaper to live in?
Cartwright is cheaper to run by car at $11,810 per year versus $11,851 for Miller, a difference of $41 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cartwright and Miller?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Cartwright (Liverpool rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Miller (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cartwright and $1,548 in Miller. 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 Cartwright and Miller?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,586 from Cartwright and $6,627 from Miller to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cartwright and $2,400 from Miller.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cartwright and Miller?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cartwright costs a cumulative $135,388 and Miller costs $135,858 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $470 in favour of Cartwright. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cartwright and Miller 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.