Lakemba vs Roselands: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lakemba and Roselands are both Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 13.5 km and 14.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $209 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 →Lakemba
Roselands
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lakemba | Roselands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,792 | $4,033 | -$241 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,017 | $8,808 | +$209 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,611 | $7,161 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lakemba | Roselands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Lakemba vs Roselands (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lakemba and Roselands cost within $209 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,396, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Lakemba carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,611 from Lakemba versus $7,161 from Roselands.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lakemba cumulative | Roselands cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,017 | $8,808 | $209 |
| Year 3 | $27,871 | $27,225 | $646 |
| Year 5 | $47,872 | $46,763 | $1,109 |
| Year 10 | $103,370 | $100,974 | $2,396 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lakemba or Roselands cheaper to live in?
Roselands is cheaper to run by car at $8,808 per year versus $9,017 for Lakemba, a difference of $209 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lakemba and Roselands?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Lakemba (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Roselands (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Lakemba and $1,548 in Roselands. 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 Lakemba and Roselands?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,792 from Lakemba and $4,033 from Roselands to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Lakemba and $2,386 from Roselands.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lakemba and Roselands?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lakemba costs a cumulative $103,370 and Roselands costs $100,974 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,396 in favour of Roselands. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lakemba and Roselands 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: Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG and Canterbury-Bankstown 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.