Glenorie vs South Maroota: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Glenorie and South Maroota are both The Hills rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 39.5 km and 44.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $80 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 →Glenorie
South Maroota
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Glenorie | South Maroota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,261 | $1,261 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,757 | $6,677 | +$80 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,116 | $12,036 | +$80 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,759 | $7,759 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Glenorie | South Maroota | 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 — Glenorie vs South Maroota (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Glenorie and South Maroota cost within $80 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $917, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $80 per year. South Maroota is 44.4 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,759 and $7,759 a year, so the $80 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Glenorie cumulative | South Maroota cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,116 | $12,036 | $80 |
| Year 3 | $37,449 | $37,202 | $247 |
| Year 5 | $64,325 | $63,901 | $424 |
| Year 10 | $138,896 | $137,979 | $917 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Glenorie or South Maroota cheaper to live in?
South Maroota is cheaper to run by car at $12,036 per year versus $12,116 for Glenorie, a difference of $80 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Glenorie and South Maroota?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,261 in Glenorie (The Hills rates (OLG) and $1,261 in South Maroota (The Hills rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Glenorie and $1,548 in South Maroota. 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 Glenorie and South Maroota?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,757 from Glenorie and $6,677 from South Maroota to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Glenorie and $2,400 from South Maroota.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Glenorie and South Maroota?
At 3% annual cost growth, Glenorie costs a cumulative $138,896 and South Maroota costs $137,979 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $917 in favour of South Maroota. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Glenorie and South Maroota 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.