Rosebery vs Zetland, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Rosebery and Zetland are both Sydney rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 5.8 km and 4.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Zetland runs $458 a year cheaper than Rosebery, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,250.
Over 10 years, Zetland costs about $5,300 less to run than Rosebery. That's about $10 a week.
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Zetland
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Rosebery | Zetland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $924 | $924 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,880 | $1,422 | +$458 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $3,500 | -$900 |
| Total (driving) | $6,202 | $5,744 | +$458 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,242 | $6,242 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Rosebery | Zetland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Rosebery vs Zetland (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Zetland costs $458 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,250 in favour of Zetland.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $458 per year. Rosebery is 5.8 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, $6,242 and $6,242 a year, so the $458 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $924 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Zetland by $458 a year, $1,422 against $1,880.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 9.1 in Zetland against 7.5 in Rosebery, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Rosebery cumulative | Zetland cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,202 | $5,744 | $458 |
| Year 3 | $19,170 | $17,754 | $1,416 |
| Year 5 | $32,927 | $30,496 | $2,431 |
| Year 10 | $71,099 | $65,849 | $5,250 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rosebery or Zetland cheaper to live in?
Zetland is cheaper to run by car at $5,744 per year versus $6,202 for Rosebery, a difference of $458 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Rosebery and Zetland?
Annual council rates for a house are $924 in Rosebery (Sydney rates (OLG) and $924 in Zetland (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Rosebery and $1,548 in Zetland. 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 Rosebery and Zetland?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,880 from Rosebery and $1,422 from Zetland to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Rosebery and $1,920 from Zetland.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Rosebery and Zetland?
At 3% annual cost growth, Rosebery costs a cumulative $71,099 and Zetland costs $65,849 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,250 in favour of Zetland. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Rosebery and Zetland suits you better?
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Sources: Sydney rates (OLG and Sydney rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.