Seven Hills vs Toongabbie: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Seven Hills (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for) and Toongabbie (Parramatta rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (26.9 km and 25.5 km).
Toongabbie runs $368 a year cheaper than Seven Hills, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,219.
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 →Seven Hills
Toongabbie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Seven Hills | Toongabbie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,360 | $1,156 | +$204 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,034 | $5,870 | +$164 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,792 | $10,424 | +$368 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,158 | $6,954 | +$204 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Seven Hills | Toongabbie | 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 — Seven Hills vs Toongabbie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Toongabbie costs $368 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,219 in favour of Toongabbie.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $204 per year.
On public transport the gap is $204 per year, $7,158 from Seven Hills versus $6,954 from Toongabbie.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Seven Hills cumulative | Toongabbie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,792 | $10,424 | $368 |
| Year 3 | $33,357 | $32,220 | $1,137 |
| Year 5 | $57,296 | $55,342 | $1,954 |
| Year 10 | $123,718 | $119,499 | $4,219 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Seven Hills or Toongabbie cheaper to live in?
Toongabbie is cheaper to run by car at $10,424 per year versus $10,792 for Seven Hills, a difference of $368 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Seven Hills and Toongabbie?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,360 in Seven Hills (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for) and $1,156 in Toongabbie (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Seven Hills and $1,548 in Toongabbie. 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 Seven Hills and Toongabbie?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,034 from Seven Hills and $5,870 from Toongabbie to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Seven Hills and $2,400 from Toongabbie.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Seven Hills and Toongabbie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Seven Hills costs a cumulative $123,718 and Toongabbie costs $119,499 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,219 in favour of Toongabbie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Seven Hills and Toongabbie 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: Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for and Parramatta 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.