Cornwallis vs Freemans Reach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cornwallis and Freemans Reach are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 47.8 km and 51.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $21 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 →Cornwallis
Freemans Reach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cornwallis | Freemans Reach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,501 | $6,180 | +$321 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $3,250 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,847 | $12,826 | +$21 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,746 | $9,046 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cornwallis | Freemans Reach | 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 — Cornwallis vs Freemans Reach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cornwallis and Freemans Reach cost within $21 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $240, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $321 per year. Freemans Reach is 51.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,746 from Cornwallis versus $9,046 from Freemans Reach.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cornwallis cumulative | Freemans Reach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,847 | $12,826 | $21 |
| Year 3 | $39,709 | $39,644 | $65 |
| Year 5 | $68,206 | $68,095 | $111 |
| Year 10 | $147,276 | $147,036 | $240 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cornwallis or Freemans Reach cheaper to live in?
Freemans Reach is cheaper to run by car at $12,826 per year versus $12,847 for Cornwallis, a difference of $21 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cornwallis and Freemans Reach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Cornwallis (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,848 in Freemans Reach (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cornwallis and $1,548 in Freemans Reach. 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 Cornwallis and Freemans Reach?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,501 from Cornwallis and $6,180 from Freemans Reach to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cornwallis and $2,400 from Freemans Reach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cornwallis and Freemans Reach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cornwallis costs a cumulative $147,276 and Freemans Reach costs $147,036 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $240 in favour of Freemans Reach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cornwallis and Freemans Reach 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: Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in and Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in 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.