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

Gables vs Maraylya: true annual running costs compared (2026)

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

Gables and Maraylya are both The Hills rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 38.3 km and 39.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.

The verdict
Gables is the cheaper suburb to live in

Gables runs $1,161 a year cheaper than Maraylya, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,309.

$1,161difference per year
$13,309over 10 years
home insurancebiggest cost driver

Over 10 years, Gables costs about $13,300 less to run than Maraylya — the same as paying $13,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.

Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →

Gables

2765 · The Hills rates (OLG · 38.3 km from CBD
$11,405
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$7,059
School score9.1/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Maraylya

2765 · The Hills rates (OLG · 39.5 km from CBD
$12,566
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$8,209
School score6.5/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Annual cost breakdown

CategoryGablesMaraylyaDifference
Council rates$1,261$1,261-
Water & sewerage$1,548$1,548-
Commute (driving)$6,746$6,757-$11
Commute (public transport)$2,400$2,400-
Home insurance$1,850$3,000-$1,150
Body corporate (unit)$2,100$2,100-
Total (driving)$11,405$12,566-$1,161
Total (public transport)$7,059$8,209-$1,150

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
DwellingGablesMaraylyaDifference
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 — Gables vs Maraylya (2026-27)

What the numbers show

Gables costs $1,161 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,309 in favour of Gables.

The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,150 per year. Maraylya carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.

On public transport the gap is $1,150 per year, $7,059 from Gables versus $8,209 from Maraylya.

10-year cumulative cost projection

YearGables cumulativeMaraylya cumulativeDifference
Year 1$11,405$12,566$1,161
Year 3$35,252$38,840$3,588
Year 5$60,551$66,715$6,164
Year 10$130,746$144,055$13,309

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

Frequently asked questions

  1. Is Gables or Maraylya cheaper to live in?

    Gables is cheaper to run by car at $11,405 per year versus $12,566 for Maraylya, a difference of $1,161 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.

  2. What are council rates in Gables and Maraylya?

    Annual council rates for a house are $1,261 in Gables (The Hills rates (OLG) and $1,261 in Maraylya (The Hills rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Gables and $1,548 in Maraylya. 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 Gables and Maraylya?

    Annual driving commute costs are $6,746 from Gables and $6,757 from Maraylya to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Gables and $2,400 from Maraylya.

  4. What is the 10-year cost difference between Gables and Maraylya?

    At 3% annual cost growth, Gables costs a cumulative $130,746 and Maraylya costs $144,055 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,309 in favour of Gables. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Which of Gables and Maraylya 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: The Hills rates (OLG 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.