Chiswick vs Henley, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chiswick (Canada Bay rates (OLG) and Henley (Hunters Hill rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (6.8 km and 7.3 km).
Chiswick runs $1,821 a year cheaper than Henley, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $20,876.
Over 10 years, Chiswick costs about $20,900 less to run than Henley. That's about $40 a week.
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Henley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chiswick | Henley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,268 | $2,446 | -$1,178 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,175 | $2,318 | -$143 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $2,350 | -$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,841 | $8,662 | -$1,821 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,586 | $8,264 | -$1,678 |
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 | Chiswick | Henley | 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, Chiswick vs Henley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chiswick costs $1,821 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $20,876 in favour of Chiswick.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $1,178 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,678 per year, $6,586 from Chiswick versus $8,264 from Henley.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Chiswick by $1,178 a year, $1,268 against $2,446.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Chiswick by $143 a year, $2,175 against $2,318.
- Building insurance favours Chiswick by $500 a year, $1,850 against $2,350.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chiswick cumulative | Henley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,841 | $8,662 | $1,821 |
| Year 3 | $21,145 | $26,773 | $5,628 |
| Year 5 | $36,320 | $45,988 | $9,668 |
| Year 10 | $78,424 | $99,300 | $20,876 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chiswick or Henley cheaper to live in?
Chiswick is cheaper to run by car at $6,841 per year versus $8,662 for Henley, a difference of $1,821 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chiswick and Henley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,268 in Chiswick (Canada Bay rates (OLG) and $2,446 in Henley (Hunters Hill rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Chiswick and $1,548 in Henley. 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 Chiswick and Henley?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,175 from Chiswick and $2,318 from Henley to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Chiswick and $1,920 from Henley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chiswick and Henley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chiswick costs a cumulative $78,424 and Henley costs $99,300 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $20,876 in favour of Chiswick. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chiswick and Henley suits you better?
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Sources: Canada Bay rates (OLG and Hunters Hill 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.