Rosebery vs Zetland: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $443 a year cheaper than Rosebery, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,079.
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 →Rosebery
Zetland
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Rosebery | Zetland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $924 | $924 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,818 | $1,375 | +$443 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $3,500 | -$900 |
| Total (driving) | $6,590 | $6,147 | +$443 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,692 | $6,692 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Rosebery | Zetland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Rosebery vs Zetland (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Zetland costs $443 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,079 in favour of Zetland.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $443 per year. Rosebery is 5.8 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, $6,692 and $6,692 a year, so the $443 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Rosebery cumulative | Zetland cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,590 | $6,147 | $443 |
| Year 3 | $20,369 | $19,000 | $1,369 |
| Year 5 | $34,987 | $32,635 | $2,352 |
| Year 10 | $75,547 | $70,468 | $5,079 |
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 $6,147 per year versus $6,590 for Rosebery, a difference of $443 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $1,818 from Rosebery and $1,375 from Zetland to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $75,547 and Zetland costs $70,468 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,079 in favour of Zetland. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Rosebery and Zetland 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: Sydney rates (OLG and Sydney 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.