Property reality tools

Apartment vs House Cost

How do the ownership costs actually differ?

Two properties, the same method. Owners corporation levies, capital works, insurance splits and maintenance are handled explicitly, because that is where apartment and house ownership genuinely diverge. Neither type is presented as the better choice.

Ownership cost each year

$9,500 vs $14,850

Apartment is $5,350 a year lower.

Cash needed up front

$176k vs $256k

Apartment is $80,000 lower.

Ten-year economic cost

$407k vs $603k

Money spent and not recovered — interest, ownership costs and acquisition, with principal repaid excluded. Apartment is $196,426 over ten years lower.

Apartment and House cost $9,500 and $14,850 a year to own on these assumptions. Neither type is presented as the better choice.

PropertyPurchase price$Property typeState or territoryBuying asDeposit%Interest rate%Loan termyrsRepayment typeAcquisition costsDuty, legal, inspections and finance costs — bring the figure across from All-In Property Cost.$

›Show ownership and move-in costs

Council rates$/yrWater and service charges$/yrInsurance$/yrOwners corporation levies$/yrCapital works / sinking fund$/yrParking and storage$/yrMaintenance allowance% of priceOther recurring charges$/yrMove-in costs$Furnishing$Immediate works$Levies include building insuranceLevies cover common-property maintenanceHalves the maintenance allowance, since only your interior remains yours to fund.One-off stress eventA special levy, a roof, or a structural repair.$Applied in year

›Show ownership and move-in costs

Ownership costs, line by line

Annual figures at today's prices, before inflation.

Cost	Apartment	House
Council rates	$1,500	$2,600
Water and service charges	$800	$1,300
Contents insurance	$500	$2,400
Owners corporation levies	$4,200	—
Capital works / sinking fund	$1,200	—
Maintenance allowance	$1,300	$8,550
Total each year	$9,500	$14,850

What leaves your account

Repayments plus ownership costs, with each cost inflated at its own rate and any stress event applied in the year you set.

Period	Apartment	House
Monthly repayment	$3,151	$4,606
First year	$47,314	$70,117
Five years	$240,194	$355,694
Ten years	$490,533	$725,579
Of which interest (10 yrs)	$294,463	$430,369
Of which principal repaid (10 yrs)	$83,678	$122,298

Apartment — all-in purchase cost

$695,500

Loan of $520,000.

House — all-in purchase cost

$1,015,500

Loan of $760,000.

Inflation assumptions

Indicative rates applied to each cost group. Change them to test how sensitive the comparison is.

Owners corporation and levies%Insurance%Maintenance%Rates and other charges%

This is a general information tool. It is an estimate based on the figures you enter and published rules, and it is not financial, credit, tax or legal advice. It does not assess your borrowing capacity, does not consider your personal circumstances and is not an offer of finance. This comparison covers cost only. It does not model capital growth, rental demand, land value or liveability, and it is not a recommendation of either property type. Verify every figure with your lender, conveyancer and a licensed adviser before making a decision.