Hinchinbrook vs Len Waters Estate: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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.
Hinchinbrook runs $312 a year cheaper than Len Waters Estate, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,577.
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 →Hinchinbrook
Len Waters Estate
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hinchinbrook | Len Waters Estate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,533 | $6,545 | -$12 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,150 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,307 | $11,619 | -$312 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,174 | $7,474 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hinchinbrook | Len Waters Estate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Hinchinbrook vs Len Waters Estate (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hinchinbrook costs $312 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,577 in favour of Hinchinbrook.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,174 from Hinchinbrook versus $7,474 from Len Waters Estate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hinchinbrook cumulative | Len Waters Estate cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,307 | $11,619 | $312 |
| Year 3 | $34,949 | $35,913 | $964 |
| Year 5 | $60,030 | $61,687 | $1,657 |
| Year 10 | $129,622 | $133,199 | $3,577 |
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?
Hinchinbrook is cheaper to run by car at $11,307 per year versus $11,619 for Len Waters Estate, a difference of $312 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. 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 $6,533 from Hinchinbrook and $6,545 from Len Waters Estate to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $129,622 and Len Waters Estate costs $133,199 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,577 in favour of Hinchinbrook. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hinchinbrook and Len Waters Estate 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: Liverpool rates (OLG and Liverpool 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.