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9.4 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Hillsdale, NSW 2036

Living in a house in Hillsdale costs about $7,916 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Hillsdale sits 9.4 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs reach $8,746, with the $2,600 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. Switching from driving to public transport saves $883 per year at this distance.

Last updated July 2026 · Bayside Council rates 2026-27, ATO 88c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights
Cheaper to run than 84% of Bayside suburbs, about 8% below the regional average.
The commute is the biggest expense at $2,803, roughly 35% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $883 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$7,916
Driving · per year
$660/month
Unit annual cost
$8,746
Incl. body corporate
$729/month
House vs unit difference
+$830
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Bayside rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,265
Water & sewerage
Sydney Water 2026-27
$1,548
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 9.4km from CBD · 192 days
$2,803
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Medium · fire Low
$2,300
Total annual running cost
$7,916
($660/month)
↓ 8% below Bayside average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 7.4/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 84% of Bayside suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
House
$2,148/yr
5,238 kWh
Unit
$1,716/yr
3,929 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Hillsdale's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Hillsdale with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Hillsdale to the CBD?
Public transport saves Hillsdale residents $883 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $2,803 versus $1,920 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Hillsdale?
Hillsdale falls under Bayside Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,265 per year for an owner-occupied house, based on OLG data uplifted by the council's IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,265 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Hillsdale?
Running a unit in Hillsdale costs approximately $8,746 per year by car or $7,863 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,265, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $2,600, and contents insurance of $530. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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Data sources: Council rates: Bayside rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Sydney Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.