Eastwood vs Marsfield: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Eastwood and Marsfield are both Ryde rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 14.7 km and 14.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $277 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 →Eastwood
Marsfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Eastwood | Marsfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,278 | $1,278 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,193 | $4,170 | +$23 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,150 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,869 | $9,146 | -$277 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,062 | $7,362 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Eastwood | Marsfield | 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 — Eastwood vs Marsfield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Eastwood and Marsfield cost within $277 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,176, 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, $7,062 from Eastwood versus $7,362 from Marsfield.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,278 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Marsfield by $23 a year, $4,170 against $4,193.
- Building insurance favours Eastwood by $300 a year, $1,850 against $2,150.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Marsfield against low in Eastwood, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Eastwood cumulative | Marsfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,869 | $9,146 | $277 |
| Year 3 | $27,413 | $28,269 | $856 |
| Year 5 | $47,087 | $48,557 | $1,470 |
| Year 10 | $101,673 | $104,849 | $3,176 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eastwood or Marsfield cheaper to live in?
Eastwood is cheaper to run by car at $8,869 per year versus $9,146 for Marsfield, a difference of $277 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Eastwood and Marsfield?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,278 in Eastwood (Ryde rates (OLG) and $1,278 in Marsfield (Ryde rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Eastwood and $1,548 in Marsfield. 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 Eastwood and Marsfield?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,193 from Eastwood and $4,170 from Marsfield to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Eastwood and $2,386 from Marsfield.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Eastwood and Marsfield?
At 3% annual cost growth, Eastwood costs a cumulative $101,673 and Marsfield costs $104,849 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,176 in favour of Eastwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Eastwood and Marsfield 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.
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Sources: Ryde rates (OLG and Ryde 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.