Marsfield vs North Epping: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Marsfield (Ryde rates (OLG) and North Epping (Hornsby rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (14.6 km and 16 km).
Marsfield runs $555 a year cheaper than North Epping, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,363.
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 →Marsfield
North Epping
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Marsfield | North Epping | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,278 | $1,541 | -$263 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,033 | $4,325 | -$292 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,009 | $9,564 | -$555 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,362 | $7,625 | -$263 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Marsfield | North Epping | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,420 | -$272 |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,920 | -$204 |
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 — Marsfield vs North Epping (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Marsfield costs $555 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,363 in favour of Marsfield.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $292 per year. North Epping is 16 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $263 per year, $7,362 from Marsfield versus $7,625 from North Epping.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Marsfield cumulative | North Epping cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,009 | $9,564 | $555 |
| Year 3 | $27,846 | $29,561 | $1,715 |
| Year 5 | $47,830 | $50,777 | $2,947 |
| Year 10 | $103,278 | $109,641 | $6,363 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marsfield or North Epping cheaper to live in?
Marsfield is cheaper to run by car at $9,009 per year versus $9,564 for North Epping, a difference of $555 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Marsfield and North Epping?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,278 in Marsfield (Ryde rates (OLG) and $1,541 in North Epping (Hornsby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Marsfield and $1,548 in North Epping. 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 Marsfield and North Epping?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,033 from Marsfield and $4,325 from North Epping to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Marsfield and $2,386 from North Epping.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Marsfield and North Epping?
At 3% annual cost growth, Marsfield costs a cumulative $103,278 and North Epping costs $109,641 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,363 in favour of Marsfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Marsfield and North Epping 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 Hornsby 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.