Cheltenham vs Epping: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $1,022 a year cheaper than Cheltenham, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,717.
Over 10 years, Epping costs about $11,700 less to run than Cheltenham — the same as paying $11,700 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 →Cheltenham
Epping
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cheltenham | Epping | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $1,156 | +$385 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,601 | $4,264 | +$337 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $1,850 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,840 | $8,818 | +$1,022 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,625 | $6,940 | +$685 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cheltenham | Epping | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,420 | -$272 |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,920 | -$204 |
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 — Cheltenham vs Epping (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Epping costs $1,022 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,717 in favour of Epping.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $385 per year.
On public transport the gap is $685 per year, $7,625 from Cheltenham versus $6,940 from Epping.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cheltenham cumulative | Epping cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,840 | $8,818 | $1,022 |
| Year 3 | $30,414 | $27,256 | $3,158 |
| Year 5 | $52,242 | $46,816 | $5,426 |
| Year 10 | $112,805 | $101,088 | $11,717 |
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 $8,818 per year versus $9,840 for Cheltenham, a difference of $1,022 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $4,601 from Cheltenham and $4,264 from Epping to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $112,805 and Epping costs $101,088 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,717 in favour of Epping. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cheltenham and Epping 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: Hornsby rates (OLG and Parramatta 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.