Hillsdale vs Matraville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $737 a year cheaper than Matraville, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,449.
Over 10 years, Hillsdale costs about $8,400 less to run than Matraville — the same as paying $8,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Hillsdale
Matraville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hillsdale | Matraville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,265 | $1,723 | -$458 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,803 | $3,082 | -$279 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $2,386 | -$466 |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,916 | $8,653 | -$737 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,033 | $7,957 | -$924 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hillsdale | Matraville | 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 — Hillsdale vs Matraville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hillsdale costs $737 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,449 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hillsdale cumulative | Matraville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,916 | $8,653 | $737 |
| Year 3 | $24,468 | $26,746 | $2,278 |
| Year 5 | $42,027 | $45,940 | $3,913 |
| Year 10 | $90,748 | $99,197 | $8,449 |
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 $7,916 per year versus $8,653 for Matraville, a difference of $737 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $2,803 from Hillsdale and $3,082 from Matraville to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $90,748 and Matraville costs $99,197 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,449 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.