Glenhaven vs Norwest: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Glenhaven and Norwest are both The Hills rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 27.1 km and 27.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $278 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
Norwest
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Glenhaven | Norwest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,261 | $1,261 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,055 | $6,077 | -$22 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $1,850 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,014 | $10,736 | +$278 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,359 | $7,059 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Glenhaven | Norwest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 — Glenhaven vs Norwest (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Glenhaven and Norwest cost within $278 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,187, 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 Norwest.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Glenhaven cumulative | Norwest cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,014 | $10,736 | $278 |
| Year 3 | $34,043 | $33,184 | $859 |
| Year 5 | $58,475 | $56,999 | $1,476 |
| Year 10 | $126,263 | $123,076 | $3,187 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Glenhaven or Norwest cheaper to live in?
Norwest is cheaper to run by car at $10,736 per year versus $11,014 for Glenhaven, a difference of $278 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Glenhaven and Norwest?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,261 in Glenhaven (The Hills rates (OLG) and $1,261 in Norwest (The Hills rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Glenhaven and $1,548 in Norwest. 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 Norwest?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,055 from Glenhaven and $6,077 from Norwest to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Glenhaven and $2,400 from Norwest.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Glenhaven and Norwest?
At 3% annual cost growth, Glenhaven costs a cumulative $126,263 and Norwest costs $123,076 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,187 in favour of Norwest. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Glenhaven and Norwest 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.