Hornsby vs North Wahroonga: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hornsby (Hornsby rates (OLG) and North Wahroonga (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (21.5 km and 20.4 km).
Hornsby runs $865 a year cheaper than North Wahroonga, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,916.
Over 10 years, Hornsby costs about $9,900 less to run than North Wahroonga — the same as paying $9,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Hornsby
North Wahroonga
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hornsby | North Wahroonga | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $2,189 | -$648 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,494 | $5,311 | +$183 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,550 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,733 | $11,598 | -$865 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,639 | $8,687 | -$1,048 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hornsby | North Wahroonga | 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 — Hornsby vs North Wahroonga (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hornsby costs $865 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,916 in favour of Hornsby.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $648 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,048 per year, $7,639 from Hornsby versus $8,687 from North Wahroonga.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Hornsby by $648 a year, $1,541 against $2,189.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Wahroonga by $183 a year, $5,311 against $5,494.
- Building insurance favours Hornsby by $400 a year, $2,150 against $2,550.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in North Wahroonga against medium in Hornsby, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hornsby cumulative | North Wahroonga cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,733 | $11,598 | $865 |
| Year 3 | $33,175 | $35,848 | $2,673 |
| Year 5 | $56,983 | $61,575 | $4,592 |
| Year 10 | $123,042 | $132,958 | $9,916 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hornsby or North Wahroonga cheaper to live in?
Hornsby is cheaper to run by car at $10,733 per year versus $11,598 for North Wahroonga, a difference of $865 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hornsby and North Wahroonga?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Hornsby (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $2,189 in North Wahroonga (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Hornsby and $1,548 in North Wahroonga. 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 and North Wahroonga?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,494 from Hornsby and $5,311 from North Wahroonga to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Hornsby and $2,400 from North Wahroonga.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hornsby and North Wahroonga?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hornsby costs a cumulative $123,042 and North Wahroonga costs $132,958 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,916 in favour of Hornsby. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hornsby and North Wahroonga 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: Hornsby rates (OLG and Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.