Hornsby Heights vs Mount Kuring-Gai: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hornsby Heights and Mount Kuring-Gai are both Hornsby rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 25.8 km and 25.8 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.
Hornsby Heights
Mount Kuring-Gai
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hornsby Heights | Mount Kuring-Gai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $1,541 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,907 | $5,907 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,546 | $11,546 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,039 | $8,039 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hornsby Heights | Mount Kuring-Gai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Hornsby Heights vs Mount Kuring-Gai (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hornsby Heights and Mount Kuring-Gai 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, $8,039 and $8,039 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hornsby Heights cumulative | Mount Kuring-Gai cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,546 | $11,546 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $35,688 | $35,688 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $61,299 | $61,299 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $132,362 | $132,362 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hornsby Heights or Mount Kuring-Gai cheaper to live in?
Hornsby Heights is cheaper to run by car at $11,546 per year versus $11,546 for Mount Kuring-Gai, 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 Hornsby Heights and Mount Kuring-Gai?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Hornsby Heights (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $1,541 in Mount Kuring-Gai (Hornsby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Hornsby Heights and $1,548 in Mount Kuring-Gai. 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 Hornsby Heights and Mount Kuring-Gai?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,907 from Hornsby Heights and $5,907 from Mount Kuring-Gai to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Hornsby Heights and $2,400 from Mount Kuring-Gai.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hornsby Heights and Mount Kuring-Gai?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hornsby Heights costs a cumulative $132,362 and Mount Kuring-Gai costs $132,362 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Hornsby Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hornsby Heights and Mount Kuring-Gai 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.
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Sources: Hornsby rates (OLG and Hornsby 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.