North Parramatta vs Oatlands: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
North Parramatta and Oatlands are both Parramatta rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 20.5 km and 18.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Oatlands runs $664 a year cheaper than North Parramatta, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,612.
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
Oatlands
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Parramatta | Oatlands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,156 | $1,156 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,152 | $4,788 | +$364 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,386 | +$14 |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $2,300 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,456 | $9,792 | +$664 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,704 | $7,390 | +$314 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | North Parramatta | Oatlands | 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 — North Parramatta vs Oatlands (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Oatlands costs $664 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,612 in favour of Oatlands.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $364 per year. North Parramatta is 20.5 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $314 per year, $7,704 from North Parramatta versus $7,390 from Oatlands.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North Parramatta cumulative | Oatlands cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,456 | $9,792 | $664 |
| Year 3 | $32,318 | $30,266 | $2,052 |
| Year 5 | $55,512 | $51,987 | $3,525 |
| Year 10 | $119,866 | $112,254 | $7,612 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Parramatta or Oatlands cheaper to live in?
Oatlands is cheaper to run by car at $9,792 per year versus $10,456 for North Parramatta, a difference of $664 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in North Parramatta and Oatlands?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,156 in North Parramatta (Parramatta rates (OLG) and $1,156 in Oatlands (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in North Parramatta and $1,548 in Oatlands. 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 Oatlands?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,152 from North Parramatta and $4,788 from Oatlands to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from North Parramatta and $2,386 from Oatlands.
What is the 10-year cost difference between North Parramatta and Oatlands?
At 3% annual cost growth, North Parramatta costs a cumulative $119,866 and Oatlands costs $112,254 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,612 in favour of Oatlands. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Parramatta and Oatlands 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.