Chifley vs Matraville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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.
The two sit within $293 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 →Chifley
Matraville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chifley | Matraville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,723 | $1,723 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,375 | $3,082 | +$293 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,946 | $8,653 | +$293 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,957 | $7,957 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Chifley | Matraville | 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 — Chifley vs Matraville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chifley and Matraville cost within $293 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,359, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $293 per year. Chifley is 11.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,957 and $7,957 a year, so the $293 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chifley cumulative | Matraville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,946 | $8,653 | $293 |
| Year 3 | $27,651 | $26,746 | $905 |
| Year 5 | $47,496 | $45,940 | $1,556 |
| Year 10 | $102,556 | $99,197 | $3,359 |
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 $8,653 per year versus $8,946 for Chifley, a difference of $293 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $3,375 from Chifley and $3,082 from Matraville to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $102,556 and Matraville costs $99,197 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,359 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.