Birrong vs Regents Park, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Birrong (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and Regents Park (Cumberland rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (17.5 km and 16.9 km).
Regents Park runs $564 a year cheaper than Birrong, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,465.
Over 10 years, Regents Park costs about $6,500 less to run than Birrong. That's about $12 a week.
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Regents Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Birrong | Regents Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,083 | +$294 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,778 | $4,658 | +$120 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,300 | $1,150 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,003 | $8,439 | +$564 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,611 | $6,167 | +$444 |
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 | Birrong | Regents Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,442 | -$100 |
| Unit | $1,909 | $2,001 | -$92 |
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, Birrong vs Regents Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Regents Park costs $564 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,465 in favour of Regents Park.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $294 per year.
On public transport the gap is $444 per year, $6,611 from Birrong versus $6,167 from Regents Park.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Regents Park by $294 a year, $1,083 against $1,377.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Regents Park by $120 a year, $4,658 against $4,778.
- Building insurance favours Regents Park by $150 a year, $1,150 against $1,300.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Birrong cumulative | Regents Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,003 | $8,439 | $564 |
| Year 3 | $27,827 | $26,084 | $1,743 |
| Year 5 | $47,798 | $44,804 | $2,994 |
| Year 10 | $103,209 | $96,744 | $6,465 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Birrong or Regents Park cheaper to live in?
Regents Park is cheaper to run by car at $8,439 per year versus $9,003 for Birrong, a difference of $564 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Birrong and Regents Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Birrong (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,083 in Regents Park (Cumberland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Birrong and $1,548 in Regents Park. 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 Birrong and Regents Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,778 from Birrong and $4,658 from Regents Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Birrong and $2,386 from Regents Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Birrong and Regents Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Birrong costs a cumulative $103,209 and Regents Park costs $96,744 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,465 in favour of Regents Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Birrong and Regents Park suits you better?
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Sources: Canterbury-Bankstown 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.