Cheltenham vs North 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 and North Epping are both Hornsby rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 17.4 km and 16 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $286 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 →Cheltenham
North Epping
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cheltenham | North Epping | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $1,541 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,758 | $4,472 | +$286 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,997 | $9,711 | +$286 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,625 | $7,625 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cheltenham | North Epping | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,615 | -$273 |
| Unit | $1,909 | $2,113 | -$204 |
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 North Epping (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cheltenham and North Epping cost within $286 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,278, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $286 per year. Cheltenham is 17.4 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,625 and $7,625 a year, so the $286 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,541 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Epping by $286 a year, $4,472 against $4,758.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cheltenham cumulative | North Epping cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,997 | $9,711 | $286 |
| Year 3 | $30,900 | $30,016 | $884 |
| Year 5 | $53,075 | $51,557 | $1,518 |
| Year 10 | $114,604 | $111,326 | $3,278 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cheltenham or North Epping cheaper to live in?
North Epping is cheaper to run by car at $9,711 per year versus $9,997 for Cheltenham, a difference of $286 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cheltenham and North Epping?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Cheltenham (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $1,541 in North Epping (Hornsby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cheltenham and $1,548 in North 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 North Epping?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,758 from Cheltenham and $4,472 from North Epping to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Cheltenham and $2,386 from North Epping.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cheltenham and North Epping?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cheltenham costs a cumulative $114,604 and North Epping costs $111,326 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,278 in favour of North Epping. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cheltenham and North 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 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.