Constitution Hill vs Old Toongabbie: 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 and Old Toongabbie are both Parramatta rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 23.4 km and 23.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Old Toongabbie runs $408 a year cheaper than Constitution Hill, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,677.
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
Old Toongabbie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Constitution Hill | Old Toongabbie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,156 | $1,156 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,594 | $5,636 | -$42 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,598 | $10,190 | +$408 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,404 | $6,954 | +$450 |
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 | Old Toongabbie | 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 Old Toongabbie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Old Toongabbie costs $408 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,677 in favour of Old Toongabbie.
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 $450 per year, $7,404 from Constitution Hill versus $6,954 from Old Toongabbie.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Constitution Hill cumulative | Old Toongabbie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,598 | $10,190 | $408 |
| Year 3 | $32,757 | $31,496 | $1,261 |
| Year 5 | $56,266 | $54,100 | $2,166 |
| Year 10 | $121,494 | $116,817 | $4,677 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Constitution Hill or Old Toongabbie cheaper to live in?
Old Toongabbie is cheaper to run by car at $10,190 per year versus $10,598 for Constitution Hill, a difference of $408 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 Old Toongabbie?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,156 in Constitution Hill (Parramatta rates (OLG) and $1,156 in Old Toongabbie (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Constitution Hill and $1,548 in Old Toongabbie. 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 Old Toongabbie?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,594 from Constitution Hill and $5,636 from Old Toongabbie to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Constitution Hill and $2,400 from Old Toongabbie.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Constitution Hill and Old Toongabbie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Constitution Hill costs a cumulative $121,494 and Old Toongabbie costs $116,817 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,677 in favour of Old Toongabbie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Constitution Hill and Old Toongabbie 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 Parramatta 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.