Rosehill vs Silverwater: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Rosehill and Silverwater are both Parramatta rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 17.3 km and 15.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Silverwater runs $349 a year cheaper than Rosehill, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,001.
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 →Rosehill
Silverwater
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Rosehill | Silverwater | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,156 | $1,156 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,738 | $4,389 | +$349 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,392 | $10,043 | +$349 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,040 | $8,040 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Rosehill | Silverwater | 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 — Rosehill vs Silverwater (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Silverwater costs $349 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,001 in favour of Silverwater.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $349 per year. Rosehill is 17.3 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, $8,040 and $8,040 a year, so the $349 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 Silverwater by $349 a year, $4,389 against $4,738.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,950 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 7.7 in Rosehill against 6.4 in Silverwater, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Rosehill cumulative | Silverwater cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,392 | $10,043 | $349 |
| Year 3 | $32,121 | $31,042 | $1,079 |
| Year 5 | $55,173 | $53,320 | $1,853 |
| Year 10 | $119,133 | $115,132 | $4,001 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rosehill or Silverwater cheaper to live in?
Silverwater is cheaper to run by car at $10,043 per year versus $10,392 for Rosehill, a difference of $349 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Rosehill and Silverwater?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,156 in Rosehill (Parramatta rates (OLG) and $1,156 in Silverwater (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Rosehill and $1,548 in Silverwater. 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 Rosehill and Silverwater?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,738 from Rosehill and $4,389 from Silverwater to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Rosehill and $2,386 from Silverwater.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Rosehill and Silverwater?
At 3% annual cost growth, Rosehill costs a cumulative $119,133 and Silverwater costs $115,132 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,001 in favour of Silverwater. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Rosehill and Silverwater 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.
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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.