Macquarie Park vs North Ryde: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Macquarie Park and North Ryde are both Ryde rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 12.7 km and 10.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
North Ryde runs $494 a year cheaper than Macquarie Park, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,663.
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 →Macquarie Park
North Ryde
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Macquarie Park | North Ryde | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,278 | $1,278 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,733 | $3,239 | +$494 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,600 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $8,709 | $8,215 | +$494 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,362 | $7,362 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Macquarie Park | North Ryde | 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 — Macquarie Park vs North Ryde (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Ryde costs $494 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,663 in favour of North Ryde.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $494 per year. Macquarie Park is 12.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,362 and $7,362 a year, so the $494 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,278 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Ryde by $494 a year, $3,239 against $3,733.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 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 | Macquarie Park cumulative | North Ryde cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,709 | $8,215 | $494 |
| Year 3 | $26,919 | $25,392 | $1,527 |
| Year 5 | $46,237 | $43,615 | $2,622 |
| Year 10 | $99,839 | $94,176 | $5,663 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Macquarie Park or North Ryde cheaper to live in?
North Ryde is cheaper to run by car at $8,215 per year versus $8,709 for Macquarie Park, a difference of $494 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Macquarie Park and North Ryde?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,278 in Macquarie Park (Ryde rates (OLG) and $1,278 in North Ryde (Ryde rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Macquarie Park and $1,548 in North Ryde. 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 Macquarie Park and North Ryde?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,733 from Macquarie Park and $3,239 from North Ryde to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Macquarie Park and $2,386 from North Ryde.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Macquarie Park and North Ryde?
At 3% annual cost growth, Macquarie Park costs a cumulative $99,839 and North Ryde costs $94,176 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,663 in favour of North Ryde. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Macquarie Park and North Ryde 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: Ryde rates (OLG and Ryde 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.