Kurrajong Heights vs Kurrajong Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $999 a year cheaper than Kurrajong Hills, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,452.
Over 10 years, Kurrajong Heights costs about $11,500 less to run than Kurrajong Hills — the same as paying $11,500 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 →Kurrajong Heights
Kurrajong Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kurrajong Heights | Kurrajong Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,564 | $4,563 | -$999 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,360 | $10,359 | -$999 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,196 | $8,196 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kurrajong Heights | Kurrajong Hills | 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 — Kurrajong Heights vs Kurrajong Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kurrajong Heights costs $999 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,452 in favour of Kurrajong Heights.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $999 per year. Kurrajong Heights is 67.5 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, $8,196 and $8,196 a year, so the $999 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kurrajong Heights cumulative | Kurrajong Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,360 | $10,359 | $999 |
| Year 3 | $28,931 | $32,019 | $3,088 |
| Year 5 | $49,694 | $54,997 | $5,303 |
| Year 10 | $107,302 | $118,754 | $11,452 |
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 $9,360 per year versus $10,359 for Kurrajong Hills, a difference of $999 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $3,564 from Kurrajong Heights and $4,563 from Kurrajong Hills to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $107,302 and Kurrajong Hills costs $118,754 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,452 in favour of Kurrajong Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kurrajong Heights and Kurrajong Hills 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.