Laughtondale vs Singletons Mill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Laughtondale and Singletons Mill are both Hornsby rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 49.9 km and 46.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $236 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 →Laughtondale
Singletons Mill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Laughtondale | Singletons Mill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $1,541 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,344 | $6,580 | -$236 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,650 | $3,650 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,083 | $13,319 | -$236 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,139 | $9,139 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Laughtondale | Singletons Mill | 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 — Laughtondale vs Singletons Mill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Laughtondale and Singletons Mill cost within $236 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,705, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $236 per year. Laughtondale is 49.9 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, $9,139 and $9,139 a year, so the $236 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Laughtondale cumulative | Singletons Mill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,083 | $13,319 | $236 |
| Year 3 | $40,438 | $41,168 | $730 |
| Year 5 | $69,459 | $70,712 | $1,253 |
| Year 10 | $149,982 | $152,687 | $2,705 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Laughtondale or Singletons Mill cheaper to live in?
Laughtondale is cheaper to run by car at $13,083 per year versus $13,319 for Singletons Mill, a difference of $236 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Laughtondale and Singletons Mill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Laughtondale (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $1,541 in Singletons Mill (Hornsby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Laughtondale and $1,548 in Singletons Mill. 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 Laughtondale and Singletons Mill?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,344 from Laughtondale and $6,580 from Singletons Mill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Laughtondale and $2,400 from Singletons Mill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Laughtondale and Singletons Mill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Laughtondale costs a cumulative $149,982 and Singletons Mill costs $152,687 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,705 in favour of Laughtondale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Laughtondale and Singletons Mill 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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Sources: Hornsby rates (OLG and Hornsby 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.