Chester Hill vs Villawood: 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 Villawood are both Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 19.5 km and 20.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $209 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 →Chester Hill
Villawood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chester Hill | Villawood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,153 | $5,362 | -$209 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,400 | -$14 |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,378 | $10,587 | -$209 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,611 | $7,625 | -$14 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Chester Hill | Villawood | 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 — Chester Hill vs Villawood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chester Hill and Villawood cost within $209 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,396, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $209 per year. Villawood is 20.7 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, $7,611 and $7,625 a year, so the $209 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 Chester Hill by $209 a year, $5,153 against $5,362.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,300 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 5 in Chester Hill against 3.5 in Villawood, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chester Hill cumulative | Villawood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,378 | $10,587 | $209 |
| Year 3 | $32,077 | $32,723 | $646 |
| Year 5 | $55,098 | $56,208 | $1,110 |
| Year 10 | $118,972 | $121,368 | $2,396 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chester Hill or Villawood cheaper to live in?
Chester Hill is cheaper to run by car at $10,378 per year versus $10,587 for Villawood, a difference of $209 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 Villawood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Chester Hill (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Villawood (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Chester Hill and $1,548 in Villawood. 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 Villawood?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,153 from Chester Hill and $5,362 from Villawood to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Chester Hill and $2,400 from Villawood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chester Hill and Villawood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chester Hill costs a cumulative $118,972 and Villawood costs $121,368 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,396 in favour of Chester Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chester Hill and Villawood 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.