Horsley vs Stream Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Horsley and Stream Hill are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 79.5 km and 77.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Horsley runs $878 a year cheaper than Stream Hill, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,065.
Over 10 years, Horsley costs about $10,100 less to run than Stream Hill — the same as paying $10,100 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 →Horsley
Stream Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Horsley | Stream Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,358 | $3,286 | +$72 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $3,100 | -$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,875 | $9,753 | -$878 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,917 | $8,867 | -$950 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Horsley | Stream Hill | 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 — Horsley vs Stream Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Horsley costs $878 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,065 in favour of Horsley.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. Stream Hill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $950 per year, $7,917 from Horsley versus $8,867 from Stream Hill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Horsley cumulative | Stream Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,875 | $9,753 | $878 |
| Year 3 | $27,432 | $30,146 | $2,714 |
| Year 5 | $47,119 | $51,780 | $4,661 |
| Year 10 | $101,742 | $111,807 | $10,065 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Horsley or Stream Hill cheaper to live in?
Horsley is cheaper to run by car at $8,875 per year versus $9,753 for Stream Hill, a difference of $878 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Horsley and Stream Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Horsley (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Stream Hill (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Horsley and $1,548 in Stream Hill. 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 Horsley and Stream Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,358 from Horsley and $3,286 from Stream Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Horsley and $2,400 from Stream Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Horsley and Stream Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Horsley costs a cumulative $101,742 and Stream Hill costs $111,807 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,065 in favour of Horsley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Horsley and Stream Hill 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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.