Dural vs Westleigh: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dural and Westleigh are both Hornsby rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 25.3 km and 21.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Westleigh runs $519 a year cheaper than Dural, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,950.
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
Westleigh
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dural | Westleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $1,541 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,045 | $5,526 | +$519 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,300 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,684 | $11,165 | +$519 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,039 | $8,039 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Dural | Westleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Dural vs Westleigh (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Westleigh costs $519 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,950 in favour of Westleigh.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $519 per year. Dural is 25.3 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,039 and $8,039 a year, so the $519 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,541 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Westleigh by $519 a year, $5,526 against $6,045.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,550 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 9.6 in Westleigh against 8.6 in Dural, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dural cumulative | Westleigh cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,684 | $11,165 | $519 |
| Year 3 | $36,114 | $34,510 | $1,604 |
| Year 5 | $62,032 | $59,277 | $2,755 |
| Year 10 | $133,944 | $127,994 | $5,950 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dural or Westleigh cheaper to live in?
Westleigh is cheaper to run by car at $11,165 per year versus $11,684 for Dural, a difference of $519 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dural and Westleigh?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Dural (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $1,541 in Westleigh (Hornsby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Dural and $1,548 in Westleigh. 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 Westleigh?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,045 from Dural and $5,526 from Westleigh to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dural and $2,400 from Westleigh.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dural and Westleigh?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dural costs a cumulative $133,944 and Westleigh costs $127,994 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,950 in favour of Westleigh. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dural and Westleigh 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 Hornsby 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.