Eastlakes vs Rosebery: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Eastlakes (Bayside rates (OLG) and Rosebery (Sydney rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (6.7 km and 5.8 km).
Rosebery runs $606 a year cheaper than Eastlakes, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,947.
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 →Eastlakes
Rosebery
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Eastlakes | Rosebery | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,265 | $924 | +$341 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,145 | $1,880 | +$265 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,258 | $6,652 | +$606 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,033 | $6,692 | +$341 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Eastlakes | Rosebery | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Eastlakes vs Rosebery (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rosebery costs $606 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,947 in favour of Rosebery.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $341 per year.
On public transport the gap is $341 per year, $7,033 from Eastlakes versus $6,692 from Rosebery.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Rosebery by $341 a year, $924 against $1,265.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Rosebery by $265 a year, $1,880 against $2,145.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,300 a year.
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 | Eastlakes cumulative | Rosebery cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,258 | $6,652 | $606 |
| Year 3 | $22,434 | $20,561 | $1,873 |
| Year 5 | $38,534 | $35,316 | $3,218 |
| Year 10 | $83,205 | $76,258 | $6,947 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eastlakes or Rosebery cheaper to live in?
Rosebery is cheaper to run by car at $6,652 per year versus $7,258 for Eastlakes, a difference of $606 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Eastlakes and Rosebery?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,265 in Eastlakes (Bayside rates (OLG) and $924 in Rosebery (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Eastlakes and $1,548 in Rosebery. 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 Eastlakes and Rosebery?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,145 from Eastlakes and $1,880 from Rosebery to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Eastlakes and $1,920 from Rosebery.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Eastlakes and Rosebery?
At 3% annual cost growth, Eastlakes costs a cumulative $83,205 and Rosebery costs $76,258 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,947 in favour of Rosebery. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Eastlakes and Rosebery 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: Bayside rates (OLG and Sydney rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.