Lindfield vs Roseville, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lindfield and Roseville are both Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in suburbs, sitting 10.6 km and 9.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $235 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, Roseville costs about $2,700 less to run than Lindfield. That's about $5 a week.
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Roseville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lindfield | Roseville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $2,189 | $2,189 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,213 | $2,978 | +$235 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $1,920 | +$466 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,800 | $8,565 | +$235 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,973 | $7,507 | +$466 |
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 | Lindfield | Roseville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Lindfield vs Roseville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lindfield and Roseville cost within $235 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,694, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $235 per year. Lindfield is 10.6 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $466 per year, $7,973 from Lindfield versus $7,507 from Roseville.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,189 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Roseville by $235 a year, $2,978 against $3,213.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lindfield cumulative | Roseville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,800 | $8,565 | $235 |
| Year 3 | $27,200 | $26,474 | $726 |
| Year 5 | $46,720 | $45,473 | $1,247 |
| Year 10 | $100,882 | $98,188 | $2,694 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lindfield or Roseville cheaper to live in?
Roseville is cheaper to run by car at $8,565 per year versus $8,800 for Lindfield, a difference of $235 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lindfield and Roseville?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,189 in Lindfield (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in) and $2,189 in Roseville (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Lindfield and $1,548 in Roseville. 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 Lindfield and Roseville?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,213 from Lindfield and $2,978 from Roseville to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Lindfield and $1,920 from Roseville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lindfield and Roseville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lindfield costs a cumulative $100,882 and Roseville costs $98,188 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,694 in favour of Roseville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lindfield and Roseville suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in and Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in 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.