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17.0 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Auburn, NSW 2144

Living in a house in Auburn costs about $9,455 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Auburn sits 17.0 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs reach $9,985, with the $2,300 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 17.0km from the CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $2,138. The gap widens as commute costs rise.

Last updated July 2026 · Cumberland Council rates 2026-27, ATO 88c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights
Running costs sit near the Cumberland average, cheaper than 85% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $4,524, roughly 48% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $2,138 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$9,455
Driving · per year
$788/month
Unit annual cost
$9,985
Incl. body corporate
$832/month
House vs unit difference
+$530
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Cumberland rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,083
Water & sewerage
Sydney Water 2026-27
$1,548
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 17.0km from CBD · 192 days
$4,524
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Medium · fire Low
$2,300
Total annual running cost
$9,455
($788/month)
Near Cumberland average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 7.2/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 85% of Cumberland suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
House
$2,420/yr
6,060 kWh
Unit
$1,920/yr
4,545 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Auburn's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Auburn with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Auburn to the CBD?
Public transport saves Auburn residents $2,138 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $4,524 versus $2,386 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Auburn?
Auburn falls under Cumberland Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,083 per year for an owner-occupied house, based on OLG data uplifted by the council's IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,083 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Auburn?
Running a unit in Auburn costs approximately $9,985 per year by car or $7,847 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,083, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $2,300, and contents insurance of $530. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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Data sources: Council rates: Cumberland rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Sydney Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.