Cattai vs Ebenezer: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cattai (The Hills rates (OLG) and Ebenezer (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (45.5 km and 49 km).
The two sit within $35 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 →Cattai
Ebenezer
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cattai | Ebenezer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,261 | $1,848 | -$587 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,857 | $6,635 | +$222 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,650 | $3,250 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,316 | $13,281 | +$35 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,859 | $9,046 | -$187 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cattai | Ebenezer | 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 — Cattai vs Ebenezer (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cattai and Ebenezer cost within $35 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $401, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $587 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,859 and $9,046 a year, so the $35 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Cattai by $587 a year, $1,261 against $1,848.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Ebenezer by $222 a year, $6,635 against $6,857.
- Building insurance favours Ebenezer by $400 a year, $3,250 against $3,650.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Fire risk is rated high in Cattai against medium in Ebenezer, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cattai cumulative | Ebenezer cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,316 | $13,281 | $35 |
| Year 3 | $41,158 | $41,050 | $108 |
| Year 5 | $70,696 | $70,511 | $185 |
| Year 10 | $152,653 | $152,252 | $401 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cattai or Ebenezer cheaper to live in?
Ebenezer is cheaper to run by car at $13,281 per year versus $13,316 for Cattai, a difference of $35 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cattai and Ebenezer?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,261 in Cattai (The Hills rates (OLG) and $1,848 in Ebenezer (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cattai and $1,548 in Ebenezer. 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 Cattai and Ebenezer?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,857 from Cattai and $6,635 from Ebenezer to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cattai and $2,400 from Ebenezer.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cattai and Ebenezer?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cattai costs a cumulative $152,653 and Ebenezer costs $152,252 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $401 in favour of Ebenezer. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cattai and Ebenezer 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: The Hills rates (OLG and Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in 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.