Cherrybrook vs Dural: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cherrybrook and Dural are both Hornsby rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 22.4 km and 25.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cherrybrook runs $796 a year cheaper than Dural, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,126.
Over 10 years, Cherrybrook costs about $9,100 less to run than Dural — the same as paying $9,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Dural
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cherrybrook | Dural | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $1,541 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,450 | $5,846 | -$396 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,550 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,100 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,689 | $11,485 | -$796 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,639 | $8,039 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cherrybrook | Dural | 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 — Cherrybrook vs Dural (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cherrybrook costs $796 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,126 in favour of Cherrybrook.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,639 from Cherrybrook versus $8,039 from Dural.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cherrybrook cumulative | Dural cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,689 | $11,485 | $796 |
| Year 3 | $33,039 | $35,499 | $2,460 |
| Year 5 | $56,749 | $60,975 | $4,226 |
| Year 10 | $122,537 | $131,663 | $9,126 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cherrybrook or Dural cheaper to live in?
Cherrybrook is cheaper to run by car at $10,689 per year versus $11,485 for Dural, a difference of $796 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cherrybrook and Dural?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Cherrybrook (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $1,541 in Dural (Hornsby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cherrybrook and $1,548 in Dural. 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 Cherrybrook and Dural?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,450 from Cherrybrook and $5,846 from Dural to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cherrybrook and $2,400 from Dural.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cherrybrook and Dural?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cherrybrook costs a cumulative $122,537 and Dural costs $131,663 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,126 in favour of Cherrybrook. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cherrybrook and Dural is best to actually live in?
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Sources: Hornsby 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.