Epping 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
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 $17 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.
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Marsfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Epping | Marsfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,156 | $1,278 | -$122 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,409 | $4,170 | +$239 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,700 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,713 | $8,696 | +$17 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,690 | $6,912 | -$222 |
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 | Epping | Marsfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,342 | +$378 |
| Unit | $2,209 | $1,909 | +$300 |
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, Epping vs Marsfield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Epping and Marsfield cost within $17 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $195, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $239 per year. Epping is 15.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $222 per year, $6,690 from Epping versus $6,912 from Marsfield.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Epping by $122 a year, $1,156 against $1,278.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Marsfield by $239 a year, $4,170 against $4,409.
- Building insurance favours Epping by $100 a year, $1,600 against $1,700.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Marsfield against low in Epping, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Epping cumulative | Marsfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,713 | $8,696 | $17 |
| Year 3 | $26,931 | $26,878 | $53 |
| Year 5 | $46,259 | $46,168 | $91 |
| Year 10 | $99,885 | $99,690 | $195 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Epping or Marsfield cheaper to live in?
Marsfield is cheaper to run by car at $8,696 per year versus $8,713 for Epping, a difference of $17 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $4,409 from Epping and $4,170 from Marsfield to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $99,885 and Marsfield costs $99,690 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $195 in favour of Marsfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Epping and Marsfield suits you better?
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Sources: Parramatta 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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.