Denistone East vs Eastwood: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Denistone East and Eastwood are both Ryde rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 13.1 km and 14.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Denistone East runs $353 a year cheaper than Eastwood, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,047.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Denistone East
Eastwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Denistone East | Eastwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,278 | $1,278 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,702 | $4,055 | -$353 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,378 | $8,731 | -$353 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,062 | $7,062 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Denistone East | Eastwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Denistone East vs Eastwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Denistone East costs $353 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,047 in favour of Denistone East.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $353 per year. Eastwood is 14.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,062 and $7,062 a year, so the $353 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Denistone East cumulative | Eastwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,378 | $8,731 | $353 |
| Year 3 | $25,896 | $26,987 | $1,091 |
| Year 5 | $44,480 | $46,354 | $1,874 |
| Year 10 | $96,044 | $100,091 | $4,047 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Denistone East or Eastwood cheaper to live in?
Denistone East is cheaper to run by car at $8,378 per year versus $8,731 for Eastwood, a difference of $353 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Denistone East and Eastwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,278 in Denistone East (Ryde rates (OLG) and $1,278 in Eastwood (Ryde rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Denistone East and $1,548 in Eastwood. 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 Denistone East and Eastwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,702 from Denistone East and $4,055 from Eastwood to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Denistone East and $2,386 from Eastwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Denistone East and Eastwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Denistone East costs a cumulative $96,044 and Eastwood costs $100,091 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,047 in favour of Denistone East. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Denistone East and Eastwood is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Ryde rates (OLG and Ryde rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.