Alfords Point vs Padstow Heights: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Alfords Point (Sutherland rates (OLG) and Padstow Heights (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (21.1 km and 19.8 km).
Padstow Heights runs $455 a year cheaper than Alfords Point, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,216.
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 →Alfords Point
Padstow Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alfords Point | Padstow Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,377 | +$240 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,250 | $5,035 | +$215 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,386 | +$14 |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $3,250 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,665 | $11,210 | +$455 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,815 | $8,561 | +$254 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Alfords Point | Padstow Heights | 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 — Alfords Point vs Padstow Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Padstow Heights costs $455 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,216 in favour of Padstow Heights.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $240 per year.
On public transport the gap is $254 per year, $8,815 from Alfords Point versus $8,561 from Padstow Heights.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alfords Point cumulative | Padstow Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,665 | $11,210 | $455 |
| Year 3 | $36,055 | $34,649 | $1,406 |
| Year 5 | $61,931 | $59,515 | $2,416 |
| Year 10 | $133,726 | $128,510 | $5,216 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alfords Point or Padstow Heights cheaper to live in?
Padstow Heights is cheaper to run by car at $11,210 per year versus $11,665 for Alfords Point, a difference of $455 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alfords Point and Padstow Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Alfords Point (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Padstow Heights (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Alfords Point and $1,548 in Padstow Heights. 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 Alfords Point and Padstow Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,250 from Alfords Point and $5,035 from Padstow Heights to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Alfords Point and $2,386 from Padstow Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alfords Point and Padstow Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alfords Point costs a cumulative $133,726 and Padstow Heights costs $128,510 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,216 in favour of Padstow Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alfords Point and Padstow Heights 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.
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Sources: Sutherland rates (OLG and Canterbury-Bankstown 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.