Cumberland Reach vs Lower Portland, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cumberland Reach and Lower Portland are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 53.5 km and 56.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $79 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.
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Lower Portland
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cumberland Reach | Lower Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,193 | $5,814 | +$379 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,500 | $2,800 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,089 | $12,010 | +$79 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,296 | $8,596 | -$300 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cumberland Reach | Lower Portland | 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, Cumberland Reach vs Lower Portland (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cumberland Reach and Lower Portland cost within $79 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $906, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $379 per year. Lower Portland is 56.4 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,296 from Cumberland Reach versus $8,596 from Lower Portland.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,848 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Lower Portland by $379 a year, $5,814 against $6,193.
- Building insurance favours Cumberland Reach by $300 a year, $2,500 against $2,800.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Lower Portland against medium in Cumberland Reach, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cumberland Reach cumulative | Lower Portland cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,089 | $12,010 | $79 |
| Year 3 | $37,366 | $37,122 | $244 |
| Year 5 | $64,182 | $63,763 | $419 |
| Year 10 | $138,587 | $137,681 | $906 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cumberland Reach or Lower Portland cheaper to live in?
Lower Portland is cheaper to run by car at $12,010 per year versus $12,089 for Cumberland Reach, a difference of $79 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cumberland Reach and Lower Portland?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Cumberland Reach (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,848 in Lower Portland (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cumberland Reach and $1,548 in Lower Portland. 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 Cumberland Reach and Lower Portland?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,193 from Cumberland Reach and $5,814 from Lower Portland to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cumberland Reach and $2,400 from Lower Portland.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cumberland Reach and Lower Portland?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cumberland Reach costs a cumulative $138,587 and Lower Portland costs $137,681 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $906 in favour of Lower Portland. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cumberland Reach and Lower Portland suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.