Cobbitty vs Ellis Lane: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cobbitty (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and Ellis Lane (Camden rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (52.1 km and 52.6 km).
Ellis Lane runs $974 a year cheaper than Cobbitty, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,166.
Over 10 years, Ellis Lane costs about $11,200 less to run than Cobbitty — the same as paying $11,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Cobbitty
Ellis Lane
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cobbitty | Ellis Lane | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,195 | $1,573 | +$622 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,140 | $6,088 | +$52 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $1,850 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,033 | $11,059 | +$974 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,293 | $7,371 | +$922 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cobbitty | Ellis Lane | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Cobbitty vs Ellis Lane (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ellis Lane costs $974 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,166 in favour of Ellis Lane.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $622 per year.
On public transport the gap is $922 per year, $8,293 from Cobbitty versus $7,371 from Ellis Lane.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cobbitty cumulative | Ellis Lane cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,033 | $11,059 | $974 |
| Year 3 | $37,193 | $34,182 | $3,011 |
| Year 5 | $63,885 | $58,714 | $5,171 |
| Year 10 | $137,945 | $126,779 | $11,166 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cobbitty or Ellis Lane cheaper to live in?
Ellis Lane is cheaper to run by car at $11,059 per year versus $12,033 for Cobbitty, a difference of $974 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cobbitty and Ellis Lane?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,195 in Cobbitty (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and $1,573 in Ellis Lane (Camden rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cobbitty and $1,548 in Ellis Lane. 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 Cobbitty and Ellis Lane?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,140 from Cobbitty and $6,088 from Ellis Lane to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cobbitty and $2,400 from Ellis Lane.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cobbitty and Ellis Lane?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cobbitty costs a cumulative $137,945 and Ellis Lane costs $126,779 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,166 in favour of Ellis Lane. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cobbitty and Ellis Lane 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: Wollondilly rates (OLG and Camden 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.