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17.7 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Telopea, NSW 2117

Living in a house in Telopea costs about $9,212 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Telopea sits 17.7 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs reach $10,092, with the $2,300 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 17.7km from the CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $2,272. The gap widens as commute costs rise.

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

3 key insights
Cheaper to run than 93% of Parramatta suburbs, about 7% below the regional average.
The commute is the biggest expense at $4,658, roughly 51% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $2,272 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$9,212
Driving · per year
$768/month
Unit annual cost
$10,092
Incl. body corporate
$841/month
House vs unit difference
+$880
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Parramatta rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,156
Water & sewerage
Sydney Water 2026-27
$1,548
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 17.7km from CBD · 192 days
$4,658
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$1,850
Total annual running cost
$9,212
($768/month)
↓ 7% below Parramatta average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 8.8/10 Excellent
Cheaper to run than 93% of Parramatta 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 Telopea's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Telopea with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Telopea to the CBD?
Public transport saves Telopea residents $2,272 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $4,658 versus $2,386 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Telopea?
Telopea falls under Parramatta Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,156 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 $1,156 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Telopea?
Running a unit in Telopea costs approximately $10,092 per year by car or $7,820 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,156, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $2,300, and contents insurance of $430. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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Data sources: Council rates: Parramatta 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.