Earlwood vs Hurlstone Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Earlwood and Hurlstone Park are both Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 9.8 km and 8.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $241 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 →Earlwood
Hurlstone Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Earlwood | Hurlstone Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,005 | $2,764 | +$241 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,880 | $8,639 | +$241 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,795 | $7,795 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Earlwood | Hurlstone Park | 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 — Earlwood vs Hurlstone Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Earlwood and Hurlstone Park cost within $241 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,763, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $241 per year. Earlwood is 9.8 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, $7,795 and $7,795 a year, so the $241 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Hurlstone Park by $241 a year, $2,764 against $3,005.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,950 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Earlwood cumulative | Hurlstone Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,880 | $8,639 | $241 |
| Year 3 | $27,447 | $26,702 | $745 |
| Year 5 | $47,145 | $45,866 | $1,279 |
| Year 10 | $101,799 | $99,036 | $2,763 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Earlwood or Hurlstone Park cheaper to live in?
Hurlstone Park is cheaper to run by car at $8,639 per year versus $8,880 for Earlwood, a difference of $241 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Earlwood and Hurlstone Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Earlwood (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Hurlstone Park (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Earlwood and $1,548 in Hurlstone Park. 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 Earlwood and Hurlstone Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,005 from Earlwood and $2,764 from Hurlstone Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Earlwood and $1,920 from Hurlstone Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Earlwood and Hurlstone Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Earlwood costs a cumulative $101,799 and Hurlstone Park costs $99,036 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,763 in favour of Hurlstone Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Earlwood and Hurlstone Park 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: Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG and Canterbury-Bankstown 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.