Ebenezer 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
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).
Sackville runs $452 a year cheaper than Ebenezer, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,182.
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
Sackville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ebenezer | Sackville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,261 | +$587 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,635 | $6,370 | +$265 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $3,650 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,281 | $12,829 | +$452 |
| 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 | Ebenezer | 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 — Ebenezer vs Sackville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Sackville costs $452 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,182 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 $452 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 Sackville by $265 a year, $6,370 against $6,635.
- Building insurance favours Ebenezer 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 Ebenezer, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ebenezer cumulative | Sackville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,281 | $12,829 | $452 |
| Year 3 | $41,050 | $39,653 | $1,397 |
| Year 5 | $70,511 | $68,111 | $2,400 |
| Year 10 | $152,252 | $147,070 | $5,182 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ebenezer or Sackville cheaper to live in?
Sackville is cheaper to run by car at $12,829 per year versus $13,281 for Ebenezer, a difference of $452 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
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.
How does the commute cost compare between Ebenezer and Sackville?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,635 from Ebenezer and $6,370 from Sackville to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Ebenezer and $2,400 from Sackville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ebenezer and Sackville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ebenezer costs a cumulative $152,252 and Sackville costs $147,070 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,182 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.
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.