Kurrajong Heights vs Kurrajong Hills, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kurrajong Heights and Kurrajong Hills are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 67.5 km and 62.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kurrajong Heights runs $1,033 a year cheaper than Kurrajong Hills, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,843.
Over 10 years, Kurrajong Heights costs about $11,800 less to run than Kurrajong Hills. That's about $23 a week.
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Kurrajong Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kurrajong Heights | Kurrajong Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,686 | $4,719 | -$1,033 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,932 | $9,965 | -$1,033 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,646 | $7,646 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kurrajong Heights | Kurrajong Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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, Kurrajong Heights vs Kurrajong Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kurrajong Heights costs $1,033 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,843 in favour of Kurrajong Heights.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,033 per year. Kurrajong Heights is 67.5 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,646 and $7,646 a year, so the $1,033 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,848 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Kurrajong Heights by $1,033 a year, $3,686 against $4,719.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kurrajong Heights cumulative | Kurrajong Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,932 | $9,965 | $1,033 |
| Year 3 | $27,608 | $30,801 | $3,193 |
| Year 5 | $47,421 | $52,906 | $5,485 |
| Year 10 | $102,395 | $114,238 | $11,843 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kurrajong Heights or Kurrajong Hills cheaper to live in?
Kurrajong Heights is cheaper to run by car at $8,932 per year versus $9,965 for Kurrajong Hills, a difference of $1,033 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kurrajong Heights and Kurrajong Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Kurrajong Heights (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,848 in Kurrajong Hills (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kurrajong Heights and $1,548 in Kurrajong Hills. 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 Kurrajong Heights and Kurrajong Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,686 from Kurrajong Heights and $4,719 from Kurrajong Hills to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kurrajong Heights and $2,400 from Kurrajong Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kurrajong Heights and Kurrajong Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kurrajong Heights costs a cumulative $102,395 and Kurrajong Hills costs $114,238 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,843 in favour of Kurrajong Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kurrajong Heights and Kurrajong Hills suits you better?
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Sources: Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in and Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.