Dural vs Glenhaven: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dural (Hornsby rates (OLG) and Glenhaven (The Hills rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (25.3 km and 27.1 km).
Glenhaven runs $471 a year cheaper than Dural, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,400.
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 →Dural
Glenhaven
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dural | Glenhaven | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $1,261 | +$280 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,846 | $6,055 | -$209 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,150 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,485 | $11,014 | +$471 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,039 | $7,359 | +$680 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Dural | Glenhaven | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,420 | -$272 |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,920 | -$204 |
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 — Dural vs Glenhaven (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Glenhaven costs $471 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,400 in favour of Glenhaven.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $680 per year, $8,039 from Dural versus $7,359 from Glenhaven.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dural cumulative | Glenhaven cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,485 | $11,014 | $471 |
| Year 3 | $35,499 | $34,043 | $1,456 |
| Year 5 | $60,975 | $58,475 | $2,500 |
| Year 10 | $131,663 | $126,263 | $5,400 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dural or Glenhaven cheaper to live in?
Glenhaven is cheaper to run by car at $11,014 per year versus $11,485 for Dural, a difference of $471 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dural and Glenhaven?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Dural (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $1,261 in Glenhaven (The Hills rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Dural and $1,548 in Glenhaven. 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 Dural and Glenhaven?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,846 from Dural and $6,055 from Glenhaven to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dural and $2,400 from Glenhaven.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dural and Glenhaven?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dural costs a cumulative $131,663 and Glenhaven costs $126,263 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,400 in favour of Glenhaven. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dural and Glenhaven 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: Hornsby rates (OLG and The Hills 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.