Marsfield vs North Epping: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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 $565 a year cheaper than North Epping, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,477.
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) | $4,170 | $4,472 | -$302 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,146 | $9,711 | -$565 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,362 | $7,625 | -$263 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Marsfield | North Epping | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,615 | -$273 |
| Unit | $1,909 | $2,113 | -$204 |
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 — Marsfield vs North Epping (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Marsfield costs $565 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,477 in favour of Marsfield.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $302 per year. North Epping is 16 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $263 per year, $7,362 from Marsfield versus $7,625 from North Epping.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Marsfield by $263 a year, $1,278 against $1,541.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Marsfield by $302 a year, $4,170 against $4,472.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 10 in North Epping against 9 in Marsfield, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Marsfield cumulative | North Epping cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,146 | $9,711 | $565 |
| Year 3 | $28,269 | $30,016 | $1,747 |
| Year 5 | $48,557 | $51,557 | $3,000 |
| Year 10 | $104,849 | $111,326 | $6,477 |
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 $9,146 per year versus $9,711 for North Epping, a difference of $565 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $4,170 from Marsfield and $4,472 from North Epping to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $104,849 and North Epping costs $111,326 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,477 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.