North Parramatta vs North Rocks: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
North Parramatta and North Rocks are both Parramatta rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 20.5 km and 21 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
North Rocks runs $366 a year cheaper than North Parramatta, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,196.
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 →North Parramatta
North Rocks
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Parramatta | North Rocks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,156 | $1,156 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,328 | $5,412 | -$84 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $2,150 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,632 | $10,266 | +$366 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,704 | $7,254 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | North Parramatta | North Rocks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — North Parramatta vs North Rocks (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Rocks costs $366 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,196 in favour of North Rocks.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. North Parramatta carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,704 from North Parramatta versus $7,254 from North Rocks.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,156 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Parramatta by $84 a year, $5,328 against $5,412.
- Building insurance favours North Rocks by $450 a year, $2,150 against $2,600.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in North Parramatta against low in North Rocks, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North Parramatta cumulative | North Rocks cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,632 | $10,266 | $366 |
| Year 3 | $32,862 | $31,731 | $1,131 |
| Year 5 | $56,447 | $54,504 | $1,943 |
| Year 10 | $121,884 | $117,688 | $4,196 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Parramatta or North Rocks cheaper to live in?
North Rocks is cheaper to run by car at $10,266 per year versus $10,632 for North Parramatta, a difference of $366 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in North Parramatta and North Rocks?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,156 in North Parramatta (Parramatta rates (OLG) and $1,156 in North Rocks (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in North Parramatta and $1,548 in North Rocks. 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 North Parramatta and North Rocks?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,328 from North Parramatta and $5,412 from North Rocks to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from North Parramatta and $2,400 from North Rocks.
What is the 10-year cost difference between North Parramatta and North Rocks?
At 3% annual cost growth, North Parramatta costs a cumulative $121,884 and North Rocks costs $117,688 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,196 in favour of North Rocks. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Parramatta and North Rocks 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: Parramatta rates (OLG and Parramatta 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.