Ermington vs Melrose Park, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ermington (Parramatta rates (OLG) and Melrose Park (Ryde rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (14.9 km and 13.8 km).
The two sit within $124 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, Melrose Park costs about $1,400 less to run than Ermington. That's about $3 a week.
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Melrose Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ermington | Melrose Park | 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 | $4,237 | $3,991 | +$246 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,350 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,291 | $9,167 | +$124 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,440 | $7,562 | -$122 |
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 | Ermington | Melrose Park | 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, Ermington vs Melrose Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ermington and Melrose Park cost within $124 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,422, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $246 per year. Ermington is 14.9 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, $7,440 and $7,562 a year, so the $124 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Ermington by $122 a year, $1,156 against $1,278.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Melrose Park by $246 a year, $3,991 against $4,237.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,350 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.
The catchment state school scores 8.2 in Melrose Park against 6.2 in Ermington, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ermington cumulative | Melrose Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,291 | $9,167 | $124 |
| Year 3 | $28,718 | $28,334 | $384 |
| Year 5 | $49,327 | $48,669 | $658 |
| Year 10 | $106,511 | $105,089 | $1,422 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ermington or Melrose Park cheaper to live in?
Melrose Park is cheaper to run by car at $9,167 per year versus $9,291 for Ermington, a difference of $124 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ermington and Melrose Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,156 in Ermington (Parramatta rates (OLG) and $1,278 in Melrose Park (Ryde rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Ermington and $1,548 in Melrose Park. 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 Ermington and Melrose Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,237 from Ermington and $3,991 from Melrose Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Ermington and $2,386 from Melrose Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ermington and Melrose Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ermington costs a cumulative $106,511 and Melrose Park costs $105,089 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,422 in favour of Melrose Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ermington and Melrose Park 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.