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Council rates: 2026-27 · Water & commute: 2025-26 · Sources: council websites, QUU, ATO, ABS

Kellyville vs Norwest: true annual running costs compared (2026)

Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks

Kellyville and Norwest are both The Hills rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 28.5 km and 27.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.

The verdict
Kellyville and Norwest cost about the same to live in

The two sit within $123 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.

$123difference per year
$1,410over 10 years
the commutebiggest cost driver

Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.

Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →

Kellyville

2155 · The Hills rates (OLG · 28.5 km from CBD
$10,859
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$7,059
School score8.9/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Norwest

2153 · The Hills rates (OLG · 27.3 km from CBD
$10,736
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$7,059
School score9.7/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Annual cost breakdown

CategoryKellyvilleNorwestDifference
Council rates$1,261$1,261-
Water & sewerage$1,548$1,548-
Commute (driving)$6,200$6,077+$123
Commute (public transport)$2,400$2,400-
Home insurance$1,850$1,850-
Body corporate (unit)$2,100$2,100-
Total (driving)$10,859$10,736+$123
Total (public transport)$7,059$7,059-

Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).

Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
DwellingKellyvilleNorwestDifference
House$2,420$2,420-
Unit$1,920$1,920-

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 — Kellyville vs Norwest (2026-27)

What the numbers show

Kellyville and Norwest cost within $123 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,410, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.

The biggest single gap is commute costs at $123 per year. Kellyville is 28.5 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.

On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,059 and $7,059 a year, so the $123 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.

10-year cumulative cost projection

YearKellyville cumulativeNorwest cumulativeDifference
Year 1$10,859$10,736$123
Year 3$33,564$33,184$380
Year 5$57,652$56,999$653
Year 10$124,486$123,076$1,410

Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Is Kellyville or Norwest cheaper to live in?

    Norwest is cheaper to run by car at $10,736 per year versus $10,859 for Kellyville, a difference of $123 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.

  2. What are council rates in Kellyville and Norwest?

    Annual council rates for a house are $1,261 in Kellyville (The Hills rates (OLG) and $1,261 in Norwest (The Hills rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kellyville and $1,548 in Norwest. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.

  3. How does the commute cost compare between Kellyville and Norwest?

    Annual driving commute costs are $6,200 from Kellyville and $6,077 from Norwest to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kellyville and $2,400 from Norwest.

  4. What is the 10-year cost difference between Kellyville and Norwest?

    At 3% annual cost growth, Kellyville costs a cumulative $124,486 and Norwest costs $123,076 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,410 in favour of Norwest. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Which of Kellyville and Norwest 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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Related comparisons

Sources: The Hills rates (OLG and The Hills 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.