Hillsdale vs Maroubra, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hillsdale (Bayside rates (OLG) and Maroubra (Randwick rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (9.4 km and 9.1 km).
Hillsdale runs $627 a year cheaper than Maroubra, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,188.
Over 10 years, Hillsdale costs about $7,200 less to run than Maroubra. That's about $14 a week.
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Maroubra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hillsdale | Maroubra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,265 | $1,723 | -$458 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,899 | $2,818 | +$81 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,850 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,312 | $7,939 | -$627 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,333 | $7,041 | -$708 |
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 | Hillsdale | Maroubra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Hillsdale vs Maroubra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hillsdale costs $627 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,188 in favour of Hillsdale.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $458 per year.
On public transport the gap is $708 per year, $6,333 from Hillsdale versus $7,041 from Maroubra.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Hillsdale by $458 a year, $1,265 against $1,723.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Maroubra by $81 a year, $2,818 against $2,899.
- Building insurance favours Hillsdale by $250 a year, $1,600 against $1,850.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hillsdale cumulative | Maroubra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,312 | $7,939 | $627 |
| Year 3 | $22,601 | $24,539 | $1,938 |
| Year 5 | $38,820 | $42,149 | $3,329 |
| Year 10 | $83,824 | $91,012 | $7,188 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hillsdale or Maroubra cheaper to live in?
Hillsdale is cheaper to run by car at $7,312 per year versus $7,939 for Maroubra, a difference of $627 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hillsdale and Maroubra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,265 in Hillsdale (Bayside rates (OLG) and $1,723 in Maroubra (Randwick rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Hillsdale and $1,548 in Maroubra. 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 Hillsdale and Maroubra?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,899 from Hillsdale and $2,818 from Maroubra to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Hillsdale and $1,920 from Maroubra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hillsdale and Maroubra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hillsdale costs a cumulative $83,824 and Maroubra costs $91,012 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,188 in favour of Hillsdale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hillsdale and Maroubra suits you better?
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Sources: Bayside rates (OLG and Randwick rates (OLG 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.