Dundas Valley vs Telopea, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dundas Valley and Telopea are both Parramatta rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 16.8 km and 17.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $179 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, Dundas Valley costs about $2,100 less to run than Telopea. That's about $4 a week.
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Telopea
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dundas Valley | Telopea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,156 | $1,156 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,638 | $4,817 | -$179 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,842 | $9,021 | -$179 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,590 | $6,590 | - |
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 | Dundas Valley | Telopea | 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, Dundas Valley vs Telopea (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dundas Valley and Telopea cost within $179 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,052, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $179 per year. Telopea is 17.7 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, $6,590 and $6,590 a year, so the $179 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,156 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Dundas Valley by $179 a year, $4,638 against $4,817.
- 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. What separates them is commute distance.
The catchment state school scores 7 in Dundas Valley against 5.8 in Telopea, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dundas Valley cumulative | Telopea cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,842 | $9,021 | $179 |
| Year 3 | $27,330 | $27,883 | $553 |
| Year 5 | $46,943 | $47,894 | $951 |
| Year 10 | $101,364 | $103,416 | $2,052 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dundas Valley or Telopea cheaper to live in?
Dundas Valley is cheaper to run by car at $8,842 per year versus $9,021 for Telopea, a difference of $179 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dundas Valley and Telopea?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,156 in Dundas Valley (Parramatta rates (OLG) and $1,156 in Telopea (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Dundas Valley and $1,548 in Telopea. 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 Dundas Valley and Telopea?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,638 from Dundas Valley and $4,817 from Telopea to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Dundas Valley and $2,386 from Telopea.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dundas Valley and Telopea?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dundas Valley costs a cumulative $101,364 and Telopea costs $103,416 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,052 in favour of Dundas Valley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dundas Valley and Telopea suits you better?
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Sources: Parramatta rates (OLG and Parramatta 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.