Gregory Hills vs Smeaton Grange: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gregory Hills and Smeaton Grange are both Camden rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 43.5 km and 45.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $91 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 →Gregory Hills
Smeaton Grange
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gregory Hills | Smeaton Grange | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,573 | $1,573 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,707 | $6,616 | +$91 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,678 | $11,587 | +$91 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,371 | $7,371 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Gregory Hills | Smeaton Grange | 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 — Gregory Hills vs Smeaton Grange (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gregory Hills and Smeaton Grange cost within $91 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,043, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $91 per year. Smeaton Grange is 45.8 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, $7,371 and $7,371 a year, so the $91 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gregory Hills cumulative | Smeaton Grange cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,678 | $11,587 | $91 |
| Year 3 | $36,096 | $35,814 | $282 |
| Year 5 | $62,000 | $61,517 | $483 |
| Year 10 | $133,875 | $132,832 | $1,043 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gregory Hills or Smeaton Grange cheaper to live in?
Smeaton Grange is cheaper to run by car at $11,587 per year versus $11,678 for Gregory Hills, a difference of $91 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gregory Hills and Smeaton Grange?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,573 in Gregory Hills (Camden rates (OLG) and $1,573 in Smeaton Grange (Camden rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Gregory Hills and $1,548 in Smeaton Grange. 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 Gregory Hills and Smeaton Grange?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,707 from Gregory Hills and $6,616 from Smeaton Grange to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Gregory Hills and $2,400 from Smeaton Grange.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gregory Hills and Smeaton Grange?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gregory Hills costs a cumulative $133,875 and Smeaton Grange costs $132,832 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,043 in favour of Smeaton Grange. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gregory Hills and Smeaton Grange 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: Camden rates (OLG and Camden 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.