Homebush West 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 West and Strathfield are both Strathfield rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 13 km and 11.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $264 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, Strathfield costs about $3,000 less to run than Homebush West. That's about $6 a week.
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Strathfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Homebush West | 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 | $3,804 | $3,540 | +$264 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,600 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $8,511 | $8,247 | +$264 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,093 | $7,093 | - |
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 West | 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 West vs Strathfield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Homebush West and Strathfield cost within $264 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,026, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $264 per year. Homebush West is 13 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,093 and $7,093 a year, so the $264 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 $264 a year, $3,540 against $3,804.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Homebush West cumulative | Strathfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,511 | $8,247 | $264 |
| Year 3 | $26,307 | $25,491 | $816 |
| Year 5 | $45,186 | $43,784 | $1,402 |
| Year 10 | $97,569 | $94,543 | $3,026 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Homebush West or Strathfield cheaper to live in?
Strathfield is cheaper to run by car at $8,247 per year versus $8,511 for Homebush West, a difference of $264 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Homebush West and Strathfield?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Homebush West (Strathfield rates (OLG) and $1,309 in Strathfield (Strathfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Homebush West 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 West and Strathfield?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,804 from Homebush West and $3,540 from Strathfield to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Homebush West and $2,386 from Strathfield.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Homebush West and Strathfield?
At 3% annual cost growth, Homebush West costs a cumulative $97,569 and Strathfield costs $94,543 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,026 in favour of Strathfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Homebush West and Strathfield suits you better?
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Related comparisons
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.