Leppington vs Rossmore: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Leppington (Camden rates (OLG) and Rossmore (Liverpool rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (39.4 km and 40.4 km).
The two sit within $104 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 →Leppington
Rossmore
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Leppington | Rossmore | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,573 | $1,376 | +$197 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,987 | $6,988 | -$1 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,150 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,958 | $12,062 | -$104 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,371 | $7,474 | -$103 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Leppington | Rossmore | 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 — Leppington vs Rossmore (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Leppington and Rossmore cost within $104 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,192, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,371 and $7,474 a year, so the $104 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Rossmore by $197 a year, $1,376 against $1,573.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Leppington by $1 a year, $6,987 against $6,988.
- Building insurance favours Leppington by $300 a year, $1,850 against $2,150.
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 Rossmore against low in Leppington, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.7 in Leppington against 4.4 in Rossmore, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Leppington cumulative | Rossmore cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,958 | $12,062 | $104 |
| Year 3 | $36,961 | $37,282 | $321 |
| Year 5 | $63,487 | $64,039 | $552 |
| Year 10 | $137,085 | $138,277 | $1,192 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Leppington or Rossmore cheaper to live in?
Leppington is cheaper to run by car at $11,958 per year versus $12,062 for Rossmore, a difference of $104 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Leppington and Rossmore?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,573 in Leppington (Camden rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Rossmore (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Leppington and $1,548 in Rossmore. 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 Leppington and Rossmore?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,987 from Leppington and $6,988 from Rossmore to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Leppington and $2,400 from Rossmore.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Leppington and Rossmore?
At 3% annual cost growth, Leppington costs a cumulative $137,085 and Rossmore costs $138,277 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,192 in favour of Leppington. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Leppington and Rossmore 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: Camden rates (OLG and Liverpool rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.