Doonside vs Rooty Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Doonside and Rooty Hill are both Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for suburbs, sitting 34.1 km and 34.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $262 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. 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 →Doonside
Rooty Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Doonside | Rooty Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,360 | $1,360 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,611 | $6,649 | -$38 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $1,850 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,669 | $11,407 | +$262 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,458 | $7,158 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Doonside | Rooty Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Doonside vs Rooty Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Doonside and Rooty Hill cost within $262 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,004, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,458 from Doonside versus $7,158 from Rooty Hill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Doonside cumulative | Rooty Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,669 | $11,407 | $262 |
| Year 3 | $36,068 | $35,258 | $810 |
| Year 5 | $61,952 | $60,561 | $1,391 |
| Year 10 | $133,772 | $130,768 | $3,004 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Doonside or Rooty Hill cheaper to live in?
Rooty Hill is cheaper to run by car at $11,407 per year versus $11,669 for Doonside, a difference of $262 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Doonside and Rooty Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,360 in Doonside (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for) and $1,360 in Rooty Hill (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Doonside and $1,548 in Rooty Hill. 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 Doonside and Rooty Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,611 from Doonside and $6,649 from Rooty Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Doonside and $2,400 from Rooty Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Doonside and Rooty Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Doonside costs a cumulative $133,772 and Rooty Hill costs $130,768 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,004 in favour of Rooty Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Doonside and Rooty Hill 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.