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16.0 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in North Epping, NSW 2121

Living in a house in North Epping costs about $9,711 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. North Epping sits 16.0 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs reach $10,351, with the $2,300 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 16.0km from the CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $2,086. The gap widens as commute costs rise.

Last updated July 2026 · Hornsby Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 100% of Hornsby suburbs, about 18% below the regional average.
The commute is the biggest expense at $4,472, roughly 46% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $2,086 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$9,711
Driving · per year
$809/month
Unit annual cost
$10,351
Incl. body corporate
$863/month
House vs unit difference
+$640
Unit costs more per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Hornsby rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,541
Water & sewerage
Sydney Water 2026-27
$1,548
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 16.0km from CBD · 192 days
$4,472
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Medium
$2,150
Total annual running cost
$9,711
($809/month)
↓ 18% below Hornsby average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 8.8/10 Excellent
Cheaper to run than 100% of Hornsby suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,615/yr
6,060 kWh
Unit
$2,113/yr
4,545 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for North Epping's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around North Epping

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Cheltenham, 1,801 m away, about a 23 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Macquarie University Hospital, 2,492 m away, about a 31 minute walk.
Supermarkets
2
Cafes
5
Parks
30
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

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Frequently asked questions about North Epping

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from North Epping to the CBD?

Public transport saves North Epping residents $2,086 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $4,472 versus $2,386 by public transport using the Opal network.

What are the council rates in North Epping?

North Epping falls under Hornsby Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,541 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 $1,541 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in North Epping?

Running a unit in North Epping costs approximately $10,351 per year by car or $8,265 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,541, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $2,300, and contents insurance of $490. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is North Epping close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of North Epping is Cheltenham, a train stop about 1,801 m away, about a 23 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What is the closest hospital to North Epping?

The closest hospital to the centre of North Epping is Macquarie University Hospital, about 2,492 m away, about a 31 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.

What shops and parks are in North Epping?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of North Epping there are 2 supermarkets, 5 cafes and 30 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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Data sources: Council rates: Hornsby rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Sydney Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/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.