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).
The two sit within $199 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 →Hawkesbury Heights
Yarramundi
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hawkesbury Heights | Yarramundi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,157 | $1,848 | +$309 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,741 | $5,799 | -$58 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $3,000 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,996 | $12,195 | -$199 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,655 | $8,796 | -$141 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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
Hawkesbury Heights and Yarramundi cost within $199 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,281, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Yarramundi carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,655 and $8,796 a year, so the $199 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Hawkesbury Heights by $450 a year, $2,550 against $3,000.
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 | $11,996 | $12,195 | $199 |
| Year 3 | $37,078 | $37,694 | $616 |
| Year 5 | $63,688 | $64,745 | $1,057 |
| Year 10 | $137,521 | $139,802 | $2,281 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hawkesbury Heights or Yarramundi cheaper to live in?
Hawkesbury Heights is cheaper to run by car at $11,996 per year versus $12,195 for Yarramundi, a difference of $199 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 $137,521 and Yarramundi costs $139,802 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,281 in favour of Hawkesbury Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hawkesbury Heights and Yarramundi 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.