Cecil Hills vs Elizabeth Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cecil Hills and Elizabeth Hills are both Liverpool rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 33.6 km and 33.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $5 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 →Cecil Hills
Elizabeth Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cecil Hills | Elizabeth Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,585 | $6,580 | +$5 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,659 | $11,654 | +$5 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,474 | $7,474 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cecil Hills | Elizabeth Hills | 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 — Cecil Hills vs Elizabeth Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cecil Hills and Elizabeth Hills cost within $5 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $57, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $5 per year. Cecil Hills is 33.6 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, $7,474 and $7,474 a year, so the $5 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cecil Hills cumulative | Elizabeth Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,659 | $11,654 | $5 |
| Year 3 | $36,037 | $36,021 | $16 |
| Year 5 | $61,899 | $61,873 | $26 |
| Year 10 | $133,657 | $133,600 | $57 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cecil Hills or Elizabeth Hills cheaper to live in?
Elizabeth Hills is cheaper to run by car at $11,654 per year versus $11,659 for Cecil Hills, a difference of $5 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cecil Hills and Elizabeth Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Cecil Hills (Liverpool rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Elizabeth Hills (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cecil Hills and $1,548 in Elizabeth Hills. 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 Cecil Hills and Elizabeth Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,585 from Cecil Hills and $6,580 from Elizabeth Hills to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cecil Hills and $2,400 from Elizabeth Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cecil Hills and Elizabeth Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cecil Hills costs a cumulative $133,657 and Elizabeth Hills costs $133,600 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $57 in favour of Elizabeth Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cecil Hills and Elizabeth Hills 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.