Sydenham vs Tempe: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Sydenham and Tempe are both Inner West rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 6.6 km and 8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Sydenham runs $387 a year cheaper than Tempe, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,436.
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 →Sydenham
Tempe
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Sydenham | Tempe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,401 | $1,401 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,046 | $2,433 | -$387 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,945 | $8,332 | -$387 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,819 | $7,819 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Sydenham | Tempe | 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 — Sydenham vs Tempe (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Sydenham costs $387 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,436 in favour of Sydenham.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $387 per year. Tempe is 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, $7,819 and $7,819 a year, so the $387 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Sydenham cumulative | Tempe cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,945 | $8,332 | $387 |
| Year 3 | $24,557 | $25,753 | $1,196 |
| Year 5 | $42,181 | $44,236 | $2,055 |
| Year 10 | $91,081 | $95,517 | $4,436 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sydenham or Tempe cheaper to live in?
Sydenham is cheaper to run by car at $7,945 per year versus $8,332 for Tempe, a difference of $387 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Sydenham and Tempe?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,401 in Sydenham (Inner West rates (OLG) and $1,401 in Tempe (Inner West rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Sydenham and $1,548 in Tempe. 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 Sydenham and Tempe?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,046 from Sydenham and $2,433 from Tempe to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Sydenham and $1,920 from Tempe.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Sydenham and Tempe?
At 3% annual cost growth, Sydenham costs a cumulative $91,081 and Tempe costs $95,517 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,436 in favour of Sydenham. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Sydenham and Tempe 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: Inner West rates (OLG and Inner West 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.