Compare suburbs Suburbs Council rates Cost of living calculator Electricity calculator About Blog
Map of Earlwood
9.8 km from CBD
Home  ·  Suburbs  ·  Earlwood

True annual cost of living in Earlwood, NSW 2206

Living in a house in Earlwood costs about $8,781 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Earlwood sits 9.8 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs reach $9,111, with the $2,600 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. Switching from driving to public transport saves $986 per year at this distance.

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

3 key insights
Cheaper to run than 84% of Canterbury-Bankstown suburbs, about 10% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $2,950, roughly 34% of the annual total.
Flood risk is rated high here, which lifts home insurance. Full risk detail is in the free report.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$8,781
Driving · per year
$732/month
Unit annual cost
$9,111
Incl. body corporate
$759/month
House vs unit difference
+$330
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,377
Water & sewerage
Sydney Water 2026-27
$1,548
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 9.8km from CBD · 192 days
$2,906
Home insurance
Estimated · flood High · fire Low
$2,950
Total annual running cost
$8,781
($732/month)
↓ 10% below Canterbury-Bankstown average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 6.8/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 84% of Canterbury-Bankstown suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
House
$2,148/yr
5,238 kWh
Unit
$1,716/yr
3,929 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Earlwood's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Earlwood with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Earlwood to the CBD?
Public transport saves Earlwood residents $986 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $2,906 versus $1,920 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Earlwood?
Earlwood falls under Canterbury-Bankstown Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,377 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 $1,377 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Earlwood?
Running a unit in Earlwood costs approximately $9,111 per year by car or $8,125 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,377, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $2,600, and contents insurance of $680. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Compare up to five suburbs.

Free 5-page PDF report. Enter your suburbs below.

Included:
Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
Crime risk ratings
AI suburb recommendations
Up to 5 suburbs, side by side
I'm looking at a
When are you planning to buy or move?
We'll never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.
Opening your report…
Your report is opening in a new tab. Check your inbox if it doesn't appear within a minute.
Data sources: Council rates: Canterbury-Bankstown 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.