Hinchinbrook vs Len Waters Estate, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hinchinbrook and Len Waters Estate are both Liverpool rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 32.7 km and 32.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $262 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 the gap between these two is about $3,000, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Len Waters Estate
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hinchinbrook | Len Waters Estate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,756 | $6,768 | -$12 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,850 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,280 | $11,542 | -$262 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,924 | $7,174 | -$250 |
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 | Hinchinbrook | Len Waters Estate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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, Hinchinbrook vs Len Waters Estate (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hinchinbrook and Len Waters Estate differ by $262 a year by car, but $250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $12, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $6,924 from Hinchinbrook versus $7,174 from Len Waters Estate.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Hinchinbrook by $12 a year, $6,756 against $6,768.
- Building insurance favours Hinchinbrook by $250 a year, $1,600 against $1,850.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Len Waters Estate against low in Hinchinbrook, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hinchinbrook cumulative | Len Waters Estate cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,280 | $11,542 | $262 |
| Year 3 | $34,865 | $35,675 | $810 |
| Year 5 | $59,887 | $61,278 | $1,391 |
| Year 10 | $129,313 | $132,316 | $3,003 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hinchinbrook or Len Waters Estate cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Hinchinbrook runs $11,280 a year by car and Len Waters Estate $11,542, but most of the $262 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $12. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hinchinbrook and Len Waters Estate?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Hinchinbrook (Liverpool rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Len Waters Estate (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Hinchinbrook and $1,548 in Len Waters Estate. 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 Hinchinbrook and Len Waters Estate?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,756 from Hinchinbrook and $6,768 from Len Waters Estate to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Hinchinbrook and $2,400 from Len Waters Estate.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hinchinbrook and Len Waters Estate?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hinchinbrook costs a cumulative $129,313 and Len Waters Estate costs $132,316 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,003 in favour of Hinchinbrook. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hinchinbrook and Len Waters Estate suits you better?
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Sources: Liverpool rates (OLG and Liverpool 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.