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Council rates: 2026-27 · Water & commute: 2025-26 · Sources: council websites, QUU, ATO, ABS

Ebenezer vs Sackville: true annual running costs compared (2026)

Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks

Ebenezer (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 (49 km and 51.9 km).

The verdict
Sackville is the cheaper suburb to live in

Sackville runs $443 a year cheaper than Ebenezer, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,078.

$443difference per year
$5,078over 10 years
council ratesbiggest cost driver

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 →

Ebenezer

2756 · Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in · 49 km from CBD
$13,062
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$9,046
School score5.9/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Sackville

2756 · The Hills rates (OLG · 51.9 km from CBD
$12,619
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$8,859
School score5.9/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Annual cost breakdown

CategoryEbenezerSackvilleDifference
Council rates$1,848$1,261+$587
Water & sewerage$1,548$1,548-
Commute (driving)$6,416$6,160+$256
Commute (public transport)$2,400$2,400-
Home insurance$3,250$3,650-$400
Body corporate (unit)$2,100$2,100-
Total (driving)$13,062$12,619+$443
Total (public transport)$9,046$8,859+$187

Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).

Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
DwellingEbenezerSackvilleDifference
House$2,420$2,420-
Unit$1,920$1,920-

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 — Ebenezer vs Sackville (2026-27)

What the numbers show

Sackville costs $443 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,078 in favour of Sackville.

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 $443 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.

10-year cumulative cost projection

YearEbenezer cumulativeSackville cumulativeDifference
Year 1$13,062$12,619$443
Year 3$40,373$39,004$1,369
Year 5$69,348$66,996$2,352
Year 10$149,741$144,663$5,078

Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Is Ebenezer or Sackville cheaper to live in?

    Sackville is cheaper to run by car at $12,619 per year versus $13,062 for Ebenezer, a difference of $443 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.

  2. What are council rates in Ebenezer and Sackville?

    Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Ebenezer (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 Ebenezer 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.

  3. How does the commute cost compare between Ebenezer and Sackville?

    Annual driving commute costs are $6,416 from Ebenezer and $6,160 from Sackville to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Ebenezer and $2,400 from Sackville.

  4. What is the 10-year cost difference between Ebenezer and Sackville?

    At 3% annual cost growth, Ebenezer costs a cumulative $149,741 and Sackville costs $144,663 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,078 in favour of Sackville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Which of Ebenezer 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.

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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.