Acacia Gardens vs Parklea, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Acacia Gardens and Parklea are both Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for suburbs, sitting 31.3 km and 31.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
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Parklea
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Acacia Gardens | Parklea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,360 | $1,360 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,659 | $6,659 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,067 | $11,067 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $6,808 | $6,808 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Acacia Gardens | Parklea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Acacia Gardens vs Parklea (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Acacia Gardens and Parklea cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,808 and $6,808 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,360 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $6,659 a year.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,500 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. On these four costs they are identical.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Acacia Gardens cumulative | Parklea cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,067 | $11,067 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $34,207 | $34,207 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $58,756 | $58,756 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $126,871 | $126,871 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Acacia Gardens or Parklea cheaper to live in?
Acacia Gardens is cheaper to run by car at $11,067 per year versus $11,067 for Parklea, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Acacia Gardens and Parklea?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,360 in Acacia Gardens (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for) and $1,360 in Parklea (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Acacia Gardens and $1,548 in Parklea. 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 Acacia Gardens and Parklea?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,659 from Acacia Gardens and $6,659 from Parklea to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Acacia Gardens and $2,400 from Parklea.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Acacia Gardens and Parklea?
At 3% annual cost growth, Acacia Gardens costs a cumulative $126,871 and Parklea costs $126,871 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Acacia Gardens. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Acacia Gardens and Parklea suits you better?
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Sources: Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for and Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.