Cobbitty vs Ellis Lane: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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 $975 a year cheaper than Cobbitty, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,177.
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) | $6,349 | $6,296 | +$53 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $1,850 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,242 | $11,267 | +$975 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,293 | $7,371 | +$922 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cobbitty | Ellis Lane | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Cobbitty vs Ellis Lane (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ellis Lane costs $975 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,177 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.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Ellis Lane by $622 a year, $1,573 against $2,195.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Ellis Lane by $53 a year, $6,296 against $6,349.
- Building insurance favours Ellis Lane by $300 a year, $1,850 against $2,150.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Cobbitty against low in Ellis Lane, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cobbitty cumulative | Ellis Lane cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,242 | $11,267 | $975 |
| Year 3 | $37,839 | $34,825 | $3,014 |
| Year 5 | $64,994 | $59,818 | $5,176 |
| Year 10 | $140,341 | $129,164 | $11,177 |
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 $11,267 per year versus $12,242 for Cobbitty, a difference of $975 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $6,349 from Cobbitty and $6,296 from Ellis Lane to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $140,341 and Ellis Lane costs $129,164 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,177 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.