Chifley vs Matraville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chifley and Matraville are both Randwick rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 11.7 km and 10.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Matraville runs $303 a year cheaper than Chifley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,473.
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 →Chifley
Matraville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chifley | Matraville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,723 | $1,723 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,490 | $3,187 | +$303 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,061 | $8,758 | +$303 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,957 | $7,957 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Chifley | Matraville | 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 — Chifley vs Matraville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Matraville costs $303 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,473 in favour of Matraville.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $303 per year. Chifley is 11.7 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, $7,957 and $7,957 a year, so the $303 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,723 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Matraville by $303 a year, $3,187 against $3,490.
- 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chifley cumulative | Matraville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,061 | $8,758 | $303 |
| Year 3 | $28,007 | $27,070 | $937 |
| Year 5 | $48,106 | $46,497 | $1,609 |
| Year 10 | $103,874 | $100,401 | $3,473 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chifley or Matraville cheaper to live in?
Matraville is cheaper to run by car at $8,758 per year versus $9,061 for Chifley, a difference of $303 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chifley and Matraville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,723 in Chifley (Randwick rates (OLG) and $1,723 in Matraville (Randwick rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Chifley and $1,548 in Matraville. 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 Chifley and Matraville?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,490 from Chifley and $3,187 from Matraville to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Chifley and $2,386 from Matraville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chifley and Matraville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chifley costs a cumulative $103,874 and Matraville costs $100,401 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,473 in favour of Matraville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chifley and Matraville 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: Randwick rates (OLG and Randwick 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.