North Rocks vs Oatlands: 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 Rocks and Oatlands are both Parramatta rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 21 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 $311 a year cheaper than North Rocks, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,565.
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 Rocks
Oatlands
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Rocks | Oatlands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,156 | $1,156 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,412 | $4,951 | +$461 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,386 | +$14 |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,300 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,266 | $9,955 | +$311 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,254 | $7,390 | -$136 |
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 Rocks | Oatlands | 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 Rocks vs Oatlands (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Oatlands costs $311 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,565 in favour of Oatlands.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $461 per year. North Rocks is 21 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, $7,254 and $7,390 a year, so the $311 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Oatlands by $461 a year, $4,951 against $5,412.
- Building insurance favours North Rocks by $150 a year, $2,150 against $2,300.
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 Oatlands against low in North Rocks, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in North Rocks against low in Oatlands, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.4 in North Rocks against 7.8 in Oatlands, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North Rocks cumulative | Oatlands cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,266 | $9,955 | $311 |
| Year 3 | $31,731 | $30,770 | $961 |
| Year 5 | $54,504 | $52,852 | $1,652 |
| Year 10 | $117,688 | $114,123 | $3,565 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Rocks or Oatlands cheaper to live in?
Oatlands is cheaper to run by car at $9,955 per year versus $10,266 for North Rocks, a difference of $311 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in North Rocks and Oatlands?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,156 in North Rocks (Parramatta rates (OLG) and $1,156 in Oatlands (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in North Rocks 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 Rocks and Oatlands?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,412 from North Rocks and $4,951 from Oatlands to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from North Rocks and $2,386 from Oatlands.
What is the 10-year cost difference between North Rocks and Oatlands?
At 3% annual cost growth, North Rocks costs a cumulative $117,688 and Oatlands costs $114,123 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,565 in favour of Oatlands. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Rocks 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.