Freemans Reach vs Wilberforce: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Freemans Reach and Wilberforce are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 51.7 km and 48.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $268 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 →Freemans Reach
Wilberforce
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Freemans Reach | Wilberforce | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,391 | $6,659 | -$268 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $3,250 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,037 | $13,305 | -$268 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,046 | $9,046 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Freemans Reach | Wilberforce | 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 — Freemans Reach vs Wilberforce (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Freemans Reach and Wilberforce cost within $268 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,072, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $268 per year. Freemans Reach is 51.7 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, $9,046 and $9,046 a year, so the $268 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,848 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Freemans Reach by $268 a year, $6,391 against $6,659.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,250 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 | Freemans Reach cumulative | Wilberforce cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,037 | $13,305 | $268 |
| Year 3 | $40,296 | $41,124 | $828 |
| Year 5 | $69,215 | $70,638 | $1,423 |
| Year 10 | $149,455 | $152,527 | $3,072 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Freemans Reach or Wilberforce cheaper to live in?
Freemans Reach is cheaper to run by car at $13,037 per year versus $13,305 for Wilberforce, a difference of $268 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Freemans Reach and Wilberforce?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Freemans Reach (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,848 in Wilberforce (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Freemans Reach and $1,548 in Wilberforce. 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 Freemans Reach and Wilberforce?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,391 from Freemans Reach and $6,659 from Wilberforce to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Freemans Reach and $2,400 from Wilberforce.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Freemans Reach and Wilberforce?
At 3% annual cost growth, Freemans Reach costs a cumulative $149,455 and Wilberforce costs $152,527 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,072 in favour of Freemans Reach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Freemans Reach and Wilberforce 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 Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in 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.