Cheltenham vs Epping, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cheltenham (Hornsby rates (OLG) and Epping (Parramatta rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (17.4 km and 15.7 km).
Epping runs $984 a year cheaper than Cheltenham, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,280.
Over 10 years, Epping costs about $11,300 less to run than Cheltenham. That's about $22 a week.
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Epping
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cheltenham | Epping | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,541 | $1,156 | +$385 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,758 | $4,409 | +$349 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,600 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,697 | $8,713 | +$984 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,325 | $6,690 | +$635 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cheltenham | Epping | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,720 | -$378 |
| Unit | $1,909 | $2,209 | -$300 |
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, Cheltenham vs Epping (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Epping costs $984 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,280 in favour of Epping.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $385 per year.
On public transport the gap is $635 per year, $7,325 from Cheltenham versus $6,690 from Epping.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Epping by $385 a year, $1,156 against $1,541.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Epping by $349 a year, $4,409 against $4,758.
- Building insurance favours Epping by $250 a year, $1,600 against $1,850.
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 Cheltenham against low in Epping, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cheltenham cumulative | Epping cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,697 | $8,713 | $984 |
| Year 3 | $29,972 | $26,931 | $3,041 |
| Year 5 | $51,483 | $46,259 | $5,224 |
| Year 10 | $111,165 | $99,885 | $11,280 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cheltenham or Epping cheaper to live in?
Epping is cheaper to run by car at $8,713 per year versus $9,697 for Cheltenham, a difference of $984 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cheltenham and Epping?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Cheltenham (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $1,156 in Epping (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cheltenham and $1,548 in Epping. 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 Cheltenham and Epping?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,758 from Cheltenham and $4,409 from Epping to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Cheltenham and $2,386 from Epping.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cheltenham and Epping?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cheltenham costs a cumulative $111,165 and Epping costs $99,885 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,280 in favour of Epping. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cheltenham and Epping suits you better?
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Sources: Hornsby rates (OLG and Parramatta rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.