Chatswood vs Hornsby: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chatswood (Willoughby rates (OLG) and Hornsby (Hornsby rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (8.7 km and 21.5 km).
Chatswood runs $3,285 a year cheaper than Hornsby, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $37,659.
Over 10 years, Chatswood costs about $37,700 less to run than Hornsby — the same as paying $37,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Chatswood
Hornsby
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chatswood | Hornsby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,541 | -$200 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,709 | $5,494 | -$2,785 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $2,400 | -$480 |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,150 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,300 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $7,448 | $10,733 | -$3,285 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,659 | $7,639 | -$980 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Chatswood | Hornsby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Chatswood vs Hornsby (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chatswood costs $3,285 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $37,659 in favour of Chatswood.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $2,785 per year. Hornsby is 21.5 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $980 per year, $6,659 from Chatswood versus $7,639 from Hornsby.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Chatswood by $200 a year, $1,341 against $1,541.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Chatswood by $2,785 a year, $2,709 against $5,494.
- Building insurance favours Chatswood by $300 a year, $1,850 against $2,150.
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 medium in Hornsby against low in Chatswood, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chatswood cumulative | Hornsby cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,448 | $10,733 | $3,285 |
| Year 3 | $23,021 | $33,175 | $10,154 |
| Year 5 | $39,542 | $56,983 | $17,441 |
| Year 10 | $85,383 | $123,042 | $37,659 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chatswood or Hornsby cheaper to live in?
Chatswood is cheaper to run by car at $7,448 per year versus $10,733 for Hornsby, a difference of $3,285 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chatswood and Hornsby?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Chatswood (Willoughby rates (OLG) and $1,541 in Hornsby (Hornsby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Chatswood and $1,548 in Hornsby. 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 Chatswood and Hornsby?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,709 from Chatswood and $5,494 from Hornsby to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Chatswood and $2,400 from Hornsby.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chatswood and Hornsby?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chatswood costs a cumulative $85,383 and Hornsby costs $123,042 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $37,659 in favour of Chatswood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chatswood and Hornsby 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: Willoughby rates (OLG and Hornsby 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.