Meadowbank vs Melrose Park, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Meadowbank and Melrose Park are both Ryde rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 12.5 km and 13.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Meadowbank runs $305 a year cheaper than Melrose Park, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,496.
Over 10 years, Meadowbank costs about $3,500 less to run than Melrose Park. That's about $7 a week.
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Melrose Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Meadowbank | Melrose Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,278 | $1,278 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,686 | $3,991 | -$305 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,350 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,862 | $9,167 | -$305 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,562 | $7,562 | - |
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 | Meadowbank | Melrose Park | 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, Meadowbank vs Melrose Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Meadowbank costs $305 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,496 in favour of Meadowbank.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $305 per year. Melrose Park is 13.8 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, $7,562 and $7,562 a year, so the $305 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 Meadowbank by $305 a year, $3,686 against $3,991.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,350 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 | Meadowbank cumulative | Melrose Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,862 | $9,167 | $305 |
| Year 3 | $27,392 | $28,334 | $942 |
| Year 5 | $47,050 | $48,669 | $1,619 |
| Year 10 | $101,593 | $105,089 | $3,496 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Meadowbank or Melrose Park cheaper to live in?
Meadowbank is cheaper to run by car at $8,862 per year versus $9,167 for Melrose Park, a difference of $305 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Meadowbank and Melrose Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,278 in Meadowbank (Ryde rates (OLG) and $1,278 in Melrose Park (Ryde rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Meadowbank and $1,548 in Melrose Park. 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 Meadowbank and Melrose Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,686 from Meadowbank and $3,991 from Melrose Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Meadowbank and $2,386 from Melrose Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Meadowbank and Melrose Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Meadowbank costs a cumulative $101,593 and Melrose Park costs $105,089 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,496 in favour of Meadowbank. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Meadowbank and Melrose Park suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.