Lethbridge Park vs Shalvey, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lethbridge Park and Shalvey are both Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for suburbs, sitting 40.4 km and 40.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
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Shalvey
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lethbridge Park | Shalvey | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,360 | $1,360 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,988 | $6,988 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,746 | $11,746 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,158 | $7,158 | - |
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 | Lethbridge Park | Shalvey | 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, Lethbridge Park vs Shalvey (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lethbridge Park and Shalvey cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,158 and $7,158 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,360 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $6,988 a year.
- 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. On these four costs they are identical.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lethbridge Park cumulative | Shalvey cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,746 | $11,746 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $36,306 | $36,306 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $62,361 | $62,361 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $134,655 | $134,655 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lethbridge Park or Shalvey cheaper to live in?
Lethbridge Park is cheaper to run by car at $11,746 per year versus $11,746 for Shalvey, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lethbridge Park and Shalvey?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,360 in Lethbridge Park (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for) and $1,360 in Shalvey (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Lethbridge Park and $1,548 in Shalvey. 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 Lethbridge Park and Shalvey?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,988 from Lethbridge Park and $6,988 from Shalvey to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lethbridge Park and $2,400 from Shalvey.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lethbridge Park and Shalvey?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lethbridge Park costs a cumulative $134,655 and Shalvey costs $134,655 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Lethbridge Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lethbridge Park and Shalvey suits you better?
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Sources: Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for and Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for 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.