Merrylands West vs Woodpark: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Merrylands West and Woodpark are both Cumberland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 22.5 km and 23.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $87 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here — the decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Merrylands West
Woodpark
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Merrylands West | Woodpark | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,083 | $1,083 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,465 | $5,552 | -$87 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,946 | $10,033 | -$87 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,881 | $6,881 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Merrylands West | Woodpark | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Merrylands West vs Woodpark (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Merrylands West and Woodpark cost within $87 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $997, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $87 per year. Woodpark is 23.1 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,881 and $6,881 a year, so the $87 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Merrylands West cumulative | Woodpark cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,946 | $10,033 | $87 |
| Year 3 | $30,742 | $31,011 | $269 |
| Year 5 | $52,805 | $53,267 | $462 |
| Year 10 | $114,020 | $115,017 | $997 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Merrylands West or Woodpark cheaper to live in?
Merrylands West is cheaper to run by car at $9,946 per year versus $10,033 for Woodpark, a difference of $87 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Merrylands West and Woodpark?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,083 in Merrylands West (Cumberland rates (OLG) and $1,083 in Woodpark (Cumberland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Merrylands West and $1,548 in Woodpark. 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 Merrylands West and Woodpark?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,465 from Merrylands West and $5,552 from Woodpark to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Merrylands West and $2,400 from Woodpark.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Merrylands West and Woodpark?
At 3% annual cost growth, Merrylands West costs a cumulative $114,020 and Woodpark costs $115,017 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $997 in favour of Merrylands West. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Merrylands West and Woodpark 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: Cumberland rates (OLG and Cumberland 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.