Kenthurst vs Nelson: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kenthurst and Nelson are both The Hills rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 35.2 km and 36 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $30 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 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 →Kenthurst
Nelson
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kenthurst | Nelson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,261 | $1,261 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,661 | $6,691 | -$30 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,020 | $12,050 | -$30 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,759 | $7,759 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kenthurst | Nelson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 — Kenthurst vs Nelson (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kenthurst and Nelson cost within $30 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $344, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $30 per year. Nelson is 36 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, $7,759 and $7,759 a year, so the $30 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kenthurst cumulative | Nelson cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,020 | $12,050 | $30 |
| Year 3 | $37,153 | $37,245 | $92 |
| Year 5 | $63,816 | $63,975 | $159 |
| Year 10 | $137,796 | $138,140 | $344 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kenthurst or Nelson cheaper to live in?
Kenthurst is cheaper to run by car at $12,020 per year versus $12,050 for Nelson, a difference of $30 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kenthurst and Nelson?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,261 in Kenthurst (The Hills rates (OLG) and $1,261 in Nelson (The Hills rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kenthurst and $1,548 in Nelson. 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 Kenthurst and Nelson?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,661 from Kenthurst and $6,691 from Nelson to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kenthurst and $2,400 from Nelson.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kenthurst and Nelson?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kenthurst costs a cumulative $137,796 and Nelson costs $138,140 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $344 in favour of Kenthurst. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kenthurst and Nelson 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: 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.