Epping vs Marsfield: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Epping (Parramatta rates (OLG) and Marsfield (Ryde rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (15.7 km and 14.6 km).
The two sit within $191 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 →Epping
Marsfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Epping | Marsfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,156 | $1,278 | -$122 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,264 | $4,033 | +$231 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,150 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,818 | $9,009 | -$191 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,940 | $7,362 | -$422 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Epping | Marsfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,148 | +$272 |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,716 | +$204 |
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 — Epping vs Marsfield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Epping and Marsfield cost within $191 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,190, 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 $422 per year, $6,940 from Epping versus $7,362 from Marsfield.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Epping cumulative | Marsfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,818 | $9,009 | $191 |
| Year 3 | $27,256 | $27,846 | $590 |
| Year 5 | $46,816 | $47,830 | $1,014 |
| Year 10 | $101,088 | $103,278 | $2,190 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Epping or Marsfield cheaper to live in?
Epping is cheaper to run by car at $8,818 per year versus $9,009 for Marsfield, a difference of $191 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Epping and Marsfield?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,156 in Epping (Parramatta rates (OLG) and $1,278 in Marsfield (Ryde rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Epping 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 Epping and Marsfield?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,264 from Epping and $4,033 from Marsfield to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Epping and $2,386 from Marsfield.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Epping and Marsfield?
At 3% annual cost growth, Epping costs a cumulative $101,088 and Marsfield costs $103,278 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,190 in favour of Epping. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Epping 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Parramatta 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.