Berala vs Rookwood, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Berala and Rookwood are both Cumberland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 16.2 km and 14.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rookwood runs $433 a year cheaper than Berala, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,964.
Over 10 years, Rookwood costs about $5,000 less to run than Berala. That's about $10 a week.
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Rookwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Berala | Rookwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,083 | $1,083 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,515 | $4,082 | +$433 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,150 | $1,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,296 | $7,863 | +$433 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,167 | $6,167 | - |
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 | Berala | Rookwood | 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, Berala vs Rookwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rookwood costs $433 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,964 in favour of Rookwood.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $433 per year. Berala is 16.2 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,167 and $6,167 a year, so the $433 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,083 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Rookwood by $433 a year, $4,082 against $4,515.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,150 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. What separates them is commute distance.
The catchment state school scores 7.7 in Rookwood against 5.5 in Berala, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Berala cumulative | Rookwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,296 | $7,863 | $433 |
| Year 3 | $25,642 | $24,304 | $1,338 |
| Year 5 | $44,045 | $41,746 | $2,299 |
| Year 10 | $95,104 | $90,140 | $4,964 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Berala or Rookwood cheaper to live in?
Rookwood is cheaper to run by car at $7,863 per year versus $8,296 for Berala, a difference of $433 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Berala and Rookwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,083 in Berala (Cumberland rates (OLG) and $1,083 in Rookwood (Cumberland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Berala and $1,548 in Rookwood. 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 Berala and Rookwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,515 from Berala and $4,082 from Rookwood to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Berala and $2,386 from Rookwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Berala and Rookwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Berala costs a cumulative $95,104 and Rookwood costs $90,140 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,964 in favour of Rookwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Berala and Rookwood suits you better?
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Sources: Cumberland rates (OLG and Cumberland rates (OLG 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.