Chatswood vs Hornsby: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $3,193 a year cheaper than Hornsby, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $36,604.
Over 10 years, Chatswood costs about $36,600 less to run than Hornsby — the same as paying $36,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Hornsby
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chatswood | Hornsby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,541 | -$200 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,620 | $5,313 | -$2,693 |
| 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) | $7,359 | $10,552 | -$3,193 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,659 | $7,639 | -$980 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Chatswood | Hornsby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Chatswood vs Hornsby (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chatswood costs $3,193 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $36,604 in favour of Chatswood.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $2,693 per year. Hornsby is 21.5 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $980 per year, $6,659 from Chatswood versus $7,639 from Hornsby.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chatswood cumulative | Hornsby cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,359 | $10,552 | $3,193 |
| Year 3 | $22,746 | $32,615 | $9,869 |
| Year 5 | $39,070 | $56,022 | $16,952 |
| Year 10 | $84,363 | $120,967 | $36,604 |
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 $7,359 per year versus $10,552 for Hornsby, a difference of $3,193 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $2,620 from Chatswood and $5,313 from Hornsby to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $84,363 and Hornsby costs $120,967 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $36,604 in favour of Chatswood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chatswood and Hornsby is best to actually live in?
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.