Macquarie Park vs West Pymble, 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 (Ryde rates (OLG) and West Pymble (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (12.7 km and 13.4 km).
Macquarie Park runs $1,227 a year cheaper than West Pymble, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,066.
Over 10 years, Macquarie Park costs about $14,100 less to run than West Pymble. That's about $27 a week.
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West Pymble
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Macquarie Park | West Pymble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,278 | $2,189 | -$911 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,733 | $3,899 | -$166 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,700 | $1,850 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,259 | $9,486 | -$1,227 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,912 | $7,973 | -$1,061 |
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 | Macquarie Park | West Pymble | 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 West Pymble (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Macquarie Park costs $1,227 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,066 in favour of Macquarie Park.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $911 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,061 per year, $6,912 from Macquarie Park versus $7,973 from West Pymble.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Macquarie Park by $911 a year, $1,278 against $2,189.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Macquarie Park by $166 a year, $3,733 against $3,899.
- Building insurance favours Macquarie Park by $150 a year, $1,700 against $1,850.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Macquarie Park cumulative | West Pymble cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,259 | $9,486 | $1,227 |
| Year 3 | $25,528 | $29,320 | $3,792 |
| Year 5 | $43,848 | $50,362 | $6,514 |
| Year 10 | $94,680 | $108,746 | $14,066 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Macquarie Park or West Pymble cheaper to live in?
Macquarie Park is cheaper to run by car at $8,259 per year versus $9,486 for West Pymble, a difference of $1,227 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 West Pymble?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,278 in Macquarie Park (Ryde rates (OLG) and $2,189 in West Pymble (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Macquarie Park and $1,548 in West Pymble. 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 West Pymble?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,733 from Macquarie Park and $3,899 from West Pymble to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Macquarie Park and $2,386 from West Pymble.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Macquarie Park and West Pymble?
At 3% annual cost growth, Macquarie Park costs a cumulative $94,680 and West Pymble costs $108,746 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,066 in favour of Macquarie Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Macquarie Park and West Pymble suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Ryde rates (OLG 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.