Hazelbrook vs Lawson: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hazelbrook and Lawson are both Blue Mountains rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 70.7 km and 73.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $290 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 →Hazelbrook
Lawson
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hazelbrook | Lawson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,157 | $2,157 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,986 | $3,096 | -$110 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,091 | $8,801 | +$290 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,505 | $8,105 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hazelbrook | Lawson | 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 — Hazelbrook vs Lawson (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hazelbrook and Lawson cost within $290 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,324, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,505 from Hazelbrook versus $8,105 from Lawson.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hazelbrook cumulative | Lawson cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,091 | $8,801 | $290 |
| Year 3 | $28,099 | $27,203 | $896 |
| Year 5 | $48,265 | $46,726 | $1,539 |
| Year 10 | $104,218 | $100,894 | $3,324 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hazelbrook or Lawson cheaper to live in?
Lawson is cheaper to run by car at $8,801 per year versus $9,091 for Hazelbrook, a difference of $290 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hazelbrook and Lawson?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,157 in Hazelbrook (Blue Mountains rates (OLG) and $2,157 in Lawson (Blue Mountains rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Hazelbrook and $1,548 in Lawson. 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 Hazelbrook and Lawson?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,986 from Hazelbrook and $3,096 from Lawson to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Hazelbrook and $2,400 from Lawson.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hazelbrook and Lawson?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hazelbrook costs a cumulative $104,218 and Lawson costs $100,894 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,324 in favour of Lawson. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hazelbrook and Lawson 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 Blue Mountains 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.