Parramatta vs Rosehill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Parramatta and Rosehill are both Parramatta rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 19.2 km and 17.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Parramatta runs $301 a year cheaper than Rosehill, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,450.
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 →Parramatta
Rosehill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Parramatta | Rosehill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,156 | $1,156 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,931 | $4,582 | +$349 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,935 | $10,236 | -$301 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,390 | $8,040 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Parramatta | Rosehill | 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 — Parramatta vs Rosehill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Parramatta costs $301 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,450 in favour of Parramatta.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Rosehill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,390 from Parramatta versus $8,040 from Rosehill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Parramatta cumulative | Rosehill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,935 | $10,236 | $301 |
| Year 3 | $30,708 | $31,638 | $930 |
| Year 5 | $52,746 | $54,344 | $1,598 |
| Year 10 | $113,894 | $117,344 | $3,450 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Parramatta or Rosehill cheaper to live in?
Parramatta is cheaper to run by car at $9,935 per year versus $10,236 for Rosehill, a difference of $301 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Parramatta and Rosehill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,156 in Parramatta (Parramatta rates (OLG) and $1,156 in Rosehill (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Parramatta and $1,548 in Rosehill. 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 Parramatta and Rosehill?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,931 from Parramatta and $4,582 from Rosehill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Parramatta and $2,386 from Rosehill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Parramatta and Rosehill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Parramatta costs a cumulative $113,894 and Rosehill costs $117,344 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,450 in favour of Parramatta. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Parramatta and Rosehill 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.