Hillsborough vs Rosebrook: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hillsborough and Rosebrook are both Maitland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 138.4 km and 138.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rosebrook runs $450 a year cheaper than Hillsborough, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,158.
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 →Hillsborough
Rosebrook
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hillsborough | Rosebrook | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,970 | $1,970 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,000 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,397 | $22,947 | +$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,197 | $7,747 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hillsborough | Rosebrook | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Hillsborough vs Rosebrook (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rosebrook costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,158 in favour of Rosebrook.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Hillsborough carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $8,197 from Hillsborough versus $7,747 from Rosebrook.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hillsborough cumulative | Rosebrook cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,397 | $22,947 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $72,318 | $70,927 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $124,218 | $121,829 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $268,220 | $263,062 | $5,158 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hillsborough or Rosebrook cheaper to live in?
Rosebrook is cheaper to run by car at $22,947 per year versus $23,397 for Hillsborough, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hillsborough and Rosebrook?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,970 in Hillsborough (Maitland rates (OLG) and $1,970 in Rosebrook (Maitland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Hillsborough and $1,377 in Rosebrook. 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 Hillsborough and Rosebrook?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Hillsborough and $17,600 from Rosebrook to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Hillsborough and $2,400 from Rosebrook.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hillsborough and Rosebrook?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hillsborough costs a cumulative $268,220 and Rosebrook costs $263,062 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,158 in favour of Rosebrook. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hillsborough and Rosebrook 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.
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Sources: Maitland rates (OLG and Maitland 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.