Chester Hill vs Sefton, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chester Hill and Sefton are both Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 19.5 km and 18.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $202 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, Sefton costs about $2,300 less to run than Chester Hill. That's about $4 a week.
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Sefton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chester Hill | Sefton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,153 | $4,951 | +$202 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,928 | $9,726 | +$202 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,161 | $7,161 | - |
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 | Chester Hill | Sefton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Chester Hill vs Sefton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chester Hill and Sefton cost within $202 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,315, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $202 per year. Chester Hill is 19.5 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, $7,161 and $7,161 a year, so the $202 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Sefton by $202 a year, $4,951 against $5,153.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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.
The catchment state school scores 6.7 in Sefton against 5 in Chester Hill, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chester Hill cumulative | Sefton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,928 | $9,726 | $202 |
| Year 3 | $30,686 | $30,062 | $624 |
| Year 5 | $52,709 | $51,637 | $1,072 |
| Year 10 | $113,813 | $111,498 | $2,315 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chester Hill or Sefton cheaper to live in?
Sefton is cheaper to run by car at $9,726 per year versus $9,928 for Chester Hill, a difference of $202 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chester Hill and Sefton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Chester Hill (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Sefton (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Chester Hill and $1,548 in Sefton. 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 Chester Hill and Sefton?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,153 from Chester Hill and $4,951 from Sefton to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Chester Hill and $2,386 from Sefton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chester Hill and Sefton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chester Hill costs a cumulative $113,813 and Sefton costs $111,498 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,315 in favour of Sefton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chester Hill and Sefton suits you better?
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Sources: Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG and Canterbury-Bankstown 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.