Home Rule vs St Fillans: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Home Rule and St Fillans are both Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 218.7 km and 215.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Home Rule
St Fillans
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Home Rule | St Fillans | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,122 | $1,122 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,022 | $22,022 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $6,822 | $6,822 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Home Rule | St Fillans | 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 — Home Rule vs St Fillans (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Home Rule and St Fillans cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,822 and $6,822 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Home Rule cumulative | St Fillans cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,022 | $22,022 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $68,068 | $68,068 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $116,918 | $116,918 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $252,458 | $252,458 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Home Rule or St Fillans cheaper to live in?
Home Rule is cheaper to run by car at $22,022 per year versus $22,022 for St Fillans, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Home Rule and St Fillans?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,122 in Home Rule (Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG) and $1,122 in St Fillans (Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Home Rule and $1,300 in St Fillans. 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 Home Rule and St Fillans?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Home Rule and $17,600 from St Fillans to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Home Rule and $2,400 from St Fillans.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Home Rule and St Fillans?
At 3% annual cost growth, Home Rule costs a cumulative $252,458 and St Fillans costs $252,458 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Home Rule. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Home Rule and St Fillans 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: Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG and Mid-Western Regional 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.