Cumberland Reach vs Sackville: 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 (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and Sackville (The Hills rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (53.5 km and 51.9 km).
The two sit within $10 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 →Cumberland Reach
Sackville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cumberland Reach | Sackville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,261 | +$587 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,193 | $6,370 | -$177 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $3,650 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,839 | $12,829 | +$10 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,046 | $8,859 | +$187 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cumberland Reach | Sackville | 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 Sackville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cumberland Reach and Sackville cost within $10 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $115, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $587 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $9,046 and $8,859 a year, so the $10 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Sackville by $587 a year, $1,261 against $1,848.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cumberland Reach by $177 a year, $6,193 against $6,370.
- Building insurance favours Cumberland Reach by $400 a year, $3,250 against $3,650.
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 high in Sackville against medium in Cumberland Reach, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cumberland Reach cumulative | Sackville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,839 | $12,829 | $10 |
| Year 3 | $39,684 | $39,653 | $31 |
| Year 5 | $68,164 | $68,111 | $53 |
| Year 10 | $147,185 | $147,070 | $115 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cumberland Reach or Sackville cheaper to live in?
Sackville is cheaper to run by car at $12,829 per year versus $12,839 for Cumberland Reach, a difference of $10 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 Sackville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Cumberland Reach (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,261 in Sackville (The Hills rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cumberland Reach and $1,548 in Sackville. 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 Sackville?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,193 from Cumberland Reach and $6,370 from Sackville to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cumberland Reach and $2,400 from Sackville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cumberland Reach and Sackville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cumberland Reach costs a cumulative $147,185 and Sackville costs $147,070 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $115 in favour of Sackville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cumberland Reach and Sackville 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 The Hills 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.