Glenhaven vs Kellyville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Glenhaven and Kellyville are both The Hills rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 27.1 km and 28.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $150 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 →Glenhaven
Kellyville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Glenhaven | Kellyville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,261 | $1,261 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,261 | $6,411 | -$150 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $1,850 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,220 | $11,070 | +$150 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,359 | $7,059 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Glenhaven | Kellyville | 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 — Glenhaven vs Kellyville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Glenhaven and Kellyville cost within $150 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,720, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,359 from Glenhaven versus $7,059 from Kellyville.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,261 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Glenhaven by $150 a year, $6,261 against $6,411.
- Building insurance favours Kellyville by $300 a year, $1,850 against $2,150.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Glenhaven against low in Kellyville, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Glenhaven cumulative | Kellyville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,220 | $11,070 | $150 |
| Year 3 | $34,680 | $34,216 | $464 |
| Year 5 | $59,569 | $58,772 | $797 |
| Year 10 | $128,625 | $126,905 | $1,720 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Glenhaven or Kellyville cheaper to live in?
Kellyville is cheaper to run by car at $11,070 per year versus $11,220 for Glenhaven, a difference of $150 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Glenhaven and Kellyville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,261 in Glenhaven (The Hills rates (OLG) and $1,261 in Kellyville (The Hills rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Glenhaven and $1,548 in Kellyville. 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 Glenhaven and Kellyville?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,261 from Glenhaven and $6,411 from Kellyville to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Glenhaven and $2,400 from Kellyville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Glenhaven and Kellyville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Glenhaven costs a cumulative $128,625 and Kellyville costs $126,905 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,720 in favour of Kellyville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Glenhaven and Kellyville 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: 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.