North Richmond vs The Slopes: 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 Richmond and The Slopes are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 56.2 km and 59.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The Slopes runs $915 a year cheaper than North Richmond, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,490.
Over 10 years, The Slopes costs about $10,500 less to run than North Richmond — the same as paying $10,500 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 →North Richmond
The Slopes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Richmond | The Slopes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,843 | $5,378 | +$465 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $2,150 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,839 | $10,924 | +$915 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,396 | $7,946 | +$450 |
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 Richmond | The Slopes | 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 Richmond vs The Slopes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
The Slopes costs $915 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,490 in favour of The Slopes.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $465 per year. The Slopes is 59.2 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $8,396 from North Richmond versus $7,946 from The Slopes.
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 The Slopes by $465 a year, $5,378 against $5,843.
- Building insurance favours The Slopes by $450 a year, $2,150 against $2,600.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in North Richmond against low in The Slopes, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North Richmond cumulative | The Slopes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,839 | $10,924 | $915 |
| Year 3 | $36,593 | $33,765 | $2,828 |
| Year 5 | $62,855 | $57,997 | $4,858 |
| Year 10 | $135,721 | $125,231 | $10,490 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Richmond or The Slopes cheaper to live in?
The Slopes is cheaper to run by car at $10,924 per year versus $11,839 for North Richmond, a difference of $915 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in North Richmond and The Slopes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in North Richmond (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,848 in The Slopes (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in North Richmond and $1,548 in The Slopes. 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 Richmond and The Slopes?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,843 from North Richmond and $5,378 from The Slopes to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from North Richmond and $2,400 from The Slopes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between North Richmond and The Slopes?
At 3% annual cost growth, North Richmond costs a cumulative $135,721 and The Slopes costs $125,231 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,490 in favour of The Slopes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Richmond and The Slopes 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.