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 $415 a year cheaper than North Richmond, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,758.
Over 10 years, The Slopes costs about $4,800 less to run than North Richmond. That's about $9 a week.
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The Slopes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Richmond | The Slopes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,843 | $5,378 | +$465 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,650 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,839 | $10,424 | +$415 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,396 | $7,446 | -$50 |
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 | 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 $415 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,758 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 two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,396 and $7,446 a year, so the $415 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 North Richmond by $50 a year, $1,600 against $1,650.
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 | $10,839 | $10,424 | $415 |
| Year 3 | $33,502 | $32,220 | $1,282 |
| Year 5 | $57,546 | $55,342 | $2,204 |
| Year 10 | $124,257 | $119,499 | $4,758 |
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 $10,424 per year versus $10,839 for North Richmond, a difference of $415 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 $124,257 and The Slopes costs $119,499 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,758 in favour of The Slopes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Richmond and The Slopes suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.