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27.3 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Norwest, NSW 2153

Living in a house in Norwest costs about $10,736 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Norwest sits 27.3 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs reach $11,416, with the $2,100 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 27.3km from the CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $3,677. The gap widens as commute costs rise.

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

3 key insights
Cheaper to run than 86% of The Hills suburbs, about 7% below the regional average.
The commute is the biggest expense at $6,077, roughly 57% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $3,677 a year, a significant saving at this distance.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$10,736
Driving · per year
$895/month
Unit annual cost
$11,416
Incl. body corporate
$951/month
House vs unit difference
+$680
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
The Hills rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,261
Water & sewerage
Sydney Water 2026-27
$1,548
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 27.3km from CBD · 192 days
$6,077
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$1,850
Total annual running cost
$10,736
($895/month)
↓ 7% below The Hills average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●● 9.3/10 Excellent
Cheaper to run than 86% of The Hills suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
House
$2,420/yr
6,060 kWh
Unit
$1,920/yr
4,545 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Norwest's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Norwest with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Norwest to the CBD?
Public transport saves Norwest residents $3,677 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,077 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Norwest?
Norwest falls under The Hills Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,261 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 $1,261 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Norwest?
Running a unit in Norwest costs approximately $11,416 per year by car or $7,739 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,261, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $2,100, and contents insurance of $430. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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Data sources: Council rates: The Hills 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.