Ermington vs Melrose Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $116 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 →Ermington
Melrose Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ermington | Melrose Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,156 | $1,278 | -$122 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,097 | $3,859 | +$238 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,751 | $9,635 | +$116 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,040 | $8,162 | -$122 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Ermington | Melrose Park | 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 — Ermington vs Melrose Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ermington and Melrose Park cost within $116 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,330, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $238 per year. Ermington is 14.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,040 and $8,162 a year, so the $116 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ermington cumulative | Melrose Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,751 | $9,635 | $116 |
| Year 3 | $30,139 | $29,781 | $358 |
| Year 5 | $51,769 | $51,154 | $615 |
| Year 10 | $111,784 | $110,454 | $1,330 |
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 $9,635 per year versus $9,751 for Ermington, a difference of $116 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $4,097 from Ermington and $3,859 from Melrose Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $111,784 and Melrose Park costs $110,454 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,330 in favour of Melrose Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ermington and Melrose Park 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.