Constitution Hill vs Girraween: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Constitution Hill (Parramatta rates (OLG) and Girraween (Cumberland rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (23.4 km and 25.5 km).
The two sit within $247 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 →Constitution Hill
Girraween
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Constitution Hill | Girraween | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,156 | $1,083 | +$73 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,594 | $5,870 | -$276 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,100 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,598 | $10,351 | +$247 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,404 | $6,881 | +$523 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Constitution Hill | Girraween | 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 — Constitution Hill vs Girraween (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Constitution Hill and Girraween cost within $247 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,831, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Constitution Hill carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $523 per year, $7,404 from Constitution Hill versus $6,881 from Girraween.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Constitution Hill cumulative | Girraween cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,598 | $10,351 | $247 |
| Year 3 | $32,757 | $31,994 | $763 |
| Year 5 | $56,266 | $54,955 | $1,311 |
| Year 10 | $121,494 | $118,663 | $2,831 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Constitution Hill or Girraween cheaper to live in?
Girraween is cheaper to run by car at $10,351 per year versus $10,598 for Constitution Hill, a difference of $247 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Constitution Hill and Girraween?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,156 in Constitution Hill (Parramatta rates (OLG) and $1,083 in Girraween (Cumberland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Constitution Hill and $1,548 in Girraween. 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 Constitution Hill and Girraween?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,594 from Constitution Hill and $5,870 from Girraween to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Constitution Hill and $2,400 from Girraween.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Constitution Hill and Girraween?
At 3% annual cost growth, Constitution Hill costs a cumulative $121,494 and Girraween costs $118,663 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,831 in favour of Girraween. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Constitution Hill and Girraween 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: Parramatta rates (OLG and Cumberland 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.