Hillsdale vs Matraville: 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 Matraville (Randwick rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (9.4 km and 10.5 km).
Hillsdale runs $746 a year cheaper than Matraville, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,552.
Over 10 years, Hillsdale costs about $8,600 less to run than Matraville — the same as paying $8,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Matraville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hillsdale | Matraville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,265 | $1,723 | -$458 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,899 | $3,187 | -$288 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $2,386 | -$466 |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,012 | $8,758 | -$746 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,033 | $7,957 | -$924 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hillsdale | Matraville | 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 Matraville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hillsdale costs $746 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,552 in favour of Hillsdale.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $458 per year.
On public transport the gap is $924 per year, $7,033 from Hillsdale versus $7,957 from Matraville.
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 Hillsdale by $288 a year, $2,899 against $3,187.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,300 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 7.2 in Hillsdale against 4.4 in Matraville, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hillsdale cumulative | Matraville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,012 | $8,758 | $746 |
| Year 3 | $24,764 | $27,070 | $2,306 |
| Year 5 | $42,537 | $46,497 | $3,960 |
| Year 10 | $91,849 | $100,401 | $8,552 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hillsdale or Matraville cheaper to live in?
Hillsdale is cheaper to run by car at $8,012 per year versus $8,758 for Matraville, a difference of $746 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hillsdale and Matraville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,265 in Hillsdale (Bayside rates (OLG) and $1,723 in Matraville (Randwick rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Hillsdale and $1,548 in Matraville. 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 Matraville?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,899 from Hillsdale and $3,187 from Matraville to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Hillsdale and $2,386 from Matraville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hillsdale and Matraville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hillsdale costs a cumulative $91,849 and Matraville costs $100,401 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,552 in favour of Hillsdale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hillsdale and Matraville 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.