Guildford vs South Granville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Guildford and South Granville are both Cumberland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 19.9 km and 18.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $246 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 →Guildford
South Granville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Guildford | South Granville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,083 | $1,083 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,052 | $4,806 | +$246 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,983 | $9,737 | +$246 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,317 | $7,317 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Guildford | South Granville | 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 — Guildford vs South Granville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Guildford and South Granville cost within $246 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,820, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $246 per year. Guildford is 19.9 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, $7,317 and $7,317 a year, so the $246 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Guildford cumulative | South Granville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,983 | $9,737 | $246 |
| Year 3 | $30,856 | $30,096 | $760 |
| Year 5 | $53,001 | $51,695 | $1,306 |
| Year 10 | $114,444 | $111,624 | $2,820 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Guildford or South Granville cheaper to live in?
South Granville is cheaper to run by car at $9,737 per year versus $9,983 for Guildford, a difference of $246 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Guildford and South Granville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,083 in Guildford (Cumberland rates (OLG) and $1,083 in South Granville (Cumberland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Guildford and $1,548 in South Granville. 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 Guildford and South Granville?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,052 from Guildford and $4,806 from South Granville to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Guildford and $2,386 from South Granville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Guildford and South Granville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Guildford costs a cumulative $114,444 and South Granville costs $111,624 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,820 in favour of South Granville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Guildford and South Granville 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: Cumberland rates (OLG and Cumberland 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.