Homebush vs 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 and Strathfield are both Strathfield rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 12 km and 11.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Strathfield runs $525 a year cheaper than Homebush, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,018.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $6,000, about $12 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Strathfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Homebush | Strathfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,565 | $3,540 | +$25 |
| 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 | $8,247 | +$525 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,593 | $7,093 | +$500 |
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 | 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 Strathfield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Homebush and Strathfield differ by $525 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 $25, 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 $500 per year, $7,593 from Homebush versus $7,093 from Strathfield.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,309 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Strathfield by $25 a year, $3,540 against $3,565.
- Building insurance favours Strathfield by $500 a year, $1,850 against $2,350.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Homebush against medium in Strathfield, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Homebush cumulative | Strathfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,772 | $8,247 | $525 |
| Year 3 | $27,113 | $25,491 | $1,622 |
| Year 5 | $46,572 | $43,784 | $2,788 |
| Year 10 | $100,561 | $94,543 | $6,018 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Homebush or Strathfield cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Homebush runs $8,772 a year by car and Strathfield $8,247, but most of the $525 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $25. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Homebush and Strathfield?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Homebush (Strathfield rates (OLG) and $1,309 in Strathfield (Strathfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Homebush and $1,548 in 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 Strathfield?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,565 from Homebush and $3,540 from Strathfield to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Homebush and $2,386 from Strathfield.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Homebush and Strathfield?
At 3% annual cost growth, Homebush costs a cumulative $100,561 and Strathfield costs $94,543 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,018 in favour of Strathfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Homebush and Strathfield suits you better?
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Sources: Strathfield rates (OLG and Strathfield 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.