Glenfield vs Macquarie Fields, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Glenfield and Macquarie Fields are both Campbelltown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 31.7 km and 31.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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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Macquarie Fields
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Glenfield | Macquarie Fields | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,687 | $6,687 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,932 | $11,932 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,645 | $7,645 | - |
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 | Glenfield | Macquarie Fields | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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, Glenfield vs Macquarie Fields (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Glenfield and Macquarie Fields cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,645 and $7,645 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,497 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $6,687 a year.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,200 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. On these four costs they are identical.
The catchment state school scores 7.8 in Glenfield against 3 in Macquarie Fields, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Glenfield cumulative | Macquarie Fields cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,932 | $11,932 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $36,881 | $36,881 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $63,349 | $63,349 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $136,787 | $136,787 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Glenfield or Macquarie Fields cheaper to live in?
Glenfield is cheaper to run by car at $11,932 per year versus $11,932 for Macquarie Fields, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Glenfield and Macquarie Fields?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Glenfield (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in Macquarie Fields (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Glenfield and $1,548 in Macquarie Fields. 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 Glenfield and Macquarie Fields?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,687 from Glenfield and $6,687 from Macquarie Fields to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Glenfield and $2,400 from Macquarie Fields.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Glenfield and Macquarie Fields?
At 3% annual cost growth, Glenfield costs a cumulative $136,787 and Macquarie Fields costs $136,787 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Glenfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Glenfield and Macquarie Fields suits you better?
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Sources: Campbelltown rates (OLG and Campbelltown 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.