Parklea vs Stanhope Gardens: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Parklea and Stanhope Gardens are both Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for suburbs, sitting 31.3 km and 31.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $7 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 →Parklea
Stanhope Gardens
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Parklea | Stanhope Gardens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,360 | $1,360 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,439 | $6,446 | -$7 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,197 | $11,204 | -$7 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,158 | $7,158 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Parklea | Stanhope Gardens | 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 — Parklea vs Stanhope Gardens (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Parklea and Stanhope Gardens cost within $7 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $80, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $7 per year. Stanhope Gardens is 31.4 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, $7,158 and $7,158 a year, so the $7 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Parklea cumulative | Stanhope Gardens cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,197 | $11,204 | $7 |
| Year 3 | $34,609 | $34,630 | $21 |
| Year 5 | $59,446 | $59,484 | $38 |
| Year 10 | $128,361 | $128,441 | $80 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Parklea or Stanhope Gardens cheaper to live in?
Parklea is cheaper to run by car at $11,197 per year versus $11,204 for Stanhope Gardens, a difference of $7 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Parklea and Stanhope Gardens?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,360 in Parklea (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for) and $1,360 in Stanhope Gardens (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Parklea and $1,548 in Stanhope Gardens. 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 Parklea and Stanhope Gardens?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,439 from Parklea and $6,446 from Stanhope Gardens to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Parklea and $2,400 from Stanhope Gardens.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Parklea and Stanhope Gardens?
At 3% annual cost growth, Parklea costs a cumulative $128,361 and Stanhope Gardens costs $128,441 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $80 in favour of Parklea. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Parklea and Stanhope Gardens 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: Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for and Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for 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.