North Kellyville vs Rouse Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
North Kellyville and Rouse Hill are both The Hills rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 32.2 km and 34.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $181 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 →North Kellyville
Rouse Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Kellyville | Rouse Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,261 | $1,261 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,723 | $6,842 | -$119 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $1,850 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,682 | $11,501 | +$181 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,359 | $7,059 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | North Kellyville | Rouse Hill | 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 — North Kellyville vs Rouse Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Kellyville and Rouse Hill cost within $181 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,075, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,359 from North Kellyville versus $7,059 from Rouse Hill.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,261 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Kellyville by $119 a year, $6,723 against $6,842.
- Building insurance favours Rouse Hill by $300 a year, $1,850 against $2,150.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in North Kellyville against low in Rouse Hill, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.9 in North Kellyville against 8.3 in Rouse Hill, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North Kellyville cumulative | Rouse Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,682 | $11,501 | $181 |
| Year 3 | $36,108 | $35,548 | $560 |
| Year 5 | $62,021 | $61,060 | $961 |
| Year 10 | $133,921 | $131,846 | $2,075 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Kellyville or Rouse Hill cheaper to live in?
Rouse Hill is cheaper to run by car at $11,501 per year versus $11,682 for North Kellyville, a difference of $181 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in North Kellyville and Rouse Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,261 in North Kellyville (The Hills rates (OLG) and $1,261 in Rouse Hill (The Hills rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in North Kellyville and $1,548 in Rouse Hill. 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 North Kellyville and Rouse Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,723 from North Kellyville and $6,842 from Rouse Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from North Kellyville and $2,400 from Rouse Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between North Kellyville and Rouse Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, North Kellyville costs a cumulative $133,921 and Rouse Hill costs $131,846 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,075 in favour of Rouse Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Kellyville and Rouse Hill 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.