Living in a house in Westmead costs about $10,112 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Westmead sits 21.9 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs reach $11,092, with the $2,300 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 21.9km from the CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $3,158. The gap widens as commute costs rise.
About $194 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$11,092
Incl. body corporate
$924/month
About $213 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$980
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Parramatta rates
$1,156
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Sydney Water
$1,548
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 21.9km from CBD · 192 days
$5,558
Home insurance
Estimated flood Medium · fire Low
$1,850
Body corporate
Estimated
$2,300
Total annual running cost
$10,112
($843/month, $194/week)
Excludes electricity, estimated separately below.
↑ 6% above Parramatta average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○7.5/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 79% of Parramatta suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost
typical 2-person household
House
$2,720/yr
6,060 kWh
Unit
$2,209/yr
4,545 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Westmead's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Getting around Westmead
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Westmead, 369 m away, about a 5 minute walk. It is a light rail stop.
Nearest hospital
Westmead Private Hospital, 411 m away, about a 5 minute walk.
Supermarkets
11
Cafes
33
Parks
59
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-11-03. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Westmead to the CBD?
Public transport saves Westmead residents $3,158 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $5,558 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Westmead?
Westmead 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 Westmead?
Running a unit in Westmead costs approximately $11,092 per year by car or $7,934 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 $530. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Westmead close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Westmead is Westmead, a light rail stop about 369 m away, about a 5 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.
What is the closest hospital to Westmead?
The closest hospital to the centre of Westmead is Westmead Private Hospital, about 411 m away, about a 5 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.
What shops and parks are in Westmead?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Westmead there are 11 supermarkets, 33 cafes and 59 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
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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 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data last verified September 2026. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.