Homebush vs North Strathfield, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Homebush (Strathfield rates (OLG) and North Strathfield (Canada Bay rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (12 km and 11.1 km).
North Strathfield runs $766 a year cheaper than Homebush, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,781.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $8,800, about $17 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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North Strathfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Homebush | North Strathfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,268 | +$41 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,565 | $3,340 | +$225 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $1,850 | +$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,600 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $8,772 | $8,006 | +$766 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,593 | $7,052 | +$541 |
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 | Homebush | North Strathfield | 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, Homebush vs North Strathfield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Homebush and North Strathfield differ by $766 a year by car, but $500 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 $266, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $500 per year. Homebush carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $541 per year, $7,593 from Homebush versus $7,052 from North Strathfield.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours North Strathfield by $41 a year, $1,268 against $1,309.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Strathfield by $225 a year, $3,340 against $3,565.
- Building insurance favours North Strathfield by $500 a year, $1,850 against $2,350.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Homebush cumulative | North Strathfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,772 | $8,006 | $766 |
| Year 3 | $27,113 | $24,746 | $2,367 |
| Year 5 | $46,572 | $42,505 | $4,067 |
| Year 10 | $100,561 | $91,780 | $8,781 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Homebush or North Strathfield cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Homebush runs $8,772 a year by car and North Strathfield $8,006, but most of the $766 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $266. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Homebush and North Strathfield?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Homebush (Strathfield rates (OLG) and $1,268 in North Strathfield (Canada Bay rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Homebush and $1,548 in North Strathfield. 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 Homebush and North Strathfield?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,565 from Homebush and $3,340 from North Strathfield to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Homebush and $2,386 from North Strathfield.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Homebush and North Strathfield?
At 3% annual cost growth, Homebush costs a cumulative $100,561 and North Strathfield costs $91,780 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,781 in favour of North Strathfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Homebush and North Strathfield suits you better?
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Sources: Strathfield rates (OLG and Canada Bay 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.