Hawkesbury Heights vs Yarramundi, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hawkesbury Heights (Blue Mountains rates (OLG) and Yarramundi (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (56.9 km and 56.5 km).
Yarramundi runs $351 a year cheaper than Hawkesbury Heights, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,023.
Over 10 years, Yarramundi costs about $4,000 less to run than Hawkesbury Heights. That's about $8 a week.
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Yarramundi
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hawkesbury Heights | Yarramundi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $2,157 | $1,848 | +$309 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,741 | $5,799 | -$58 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $1,850 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,396 | $11,045 | +$351 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,055 | $7,646 | +$409 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hawkesbury Heights | Yarramundi | 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, Hawkesbury Heights vs Yarramundi (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Yarramundi costs $351 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,023 in favour of Yarramundi.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $309 per year.
On public transport the gap is $409 per year, $8,055 from Hawkesbury Heights versus $7,646 from Yarramundi.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Yarramundi by $309 a year, $1,848 against $2,157.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Hawkesbury Heights by $58 a year, $5,741 against $5,799.
- Building insurance favours Yarramundi by $100 a year, $1,850 against $1,950.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Flood risk is rated medium in Yarramundi against low in Hawkesbury Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hawkesbury Heights cumulative | Yarramundi cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,396 | $11,045 | $351 |
| Year 3 | $35,224 | $34,139 | $1,085 |
| Year 5 | $60,503 | $58,639 | $1,864 |
| Year 10 | $130,642 | $126,619 | $4,023 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hawkesbury Heights or Yarramundi cheaper to live in?
Yarramundi is cheaper to run by car at $11,045 per year versus $11,396 for Hawkesbury Heights, a difference of $351 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hawkesbury Heights and Yarramundi?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,157 in Hawkesbury Heights (Blue Mountains rates (OLG) and $1,848 in Yarramundi (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Hawkesbury Heights and $1,548 in Yarramundi. 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 Hawkesbury Heights and Yarramundi?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,741 from Hawkesbury Heights and $5,799 from Yarramundi to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Hawkesbury Heights and $2,400 from Yarramundi.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hawkesbury Heights and Yarramundi?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hawkesbury Heights costs a cumulative $130,642 and Yarramundi costs $126,619 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,023 in favour of Yarramundi. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hawkesbury Heights and Yarramundi suits you better?
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Sources: Blue Mountains rates (OLG and Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.