Cambridge Gardens vs Penrith: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cambridge Gardens and Penrith are both Penrith rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 47.3 km and 49.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $261 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here — the decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Cambridge Gardens
Penrith
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cambridge Gardens | Penrith | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,533 | $6,344 | +$189 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,300 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,535 | $11,796 | -$261 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,402 | $7,852 | -$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cambridge Gardens | Penrith | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Cambridge Gardens vs Penrith (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cambridge Gardens and Penrith cost within $261 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,992, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Penrith carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,402 from Cambridge Gardens versus $7,852 from Penrith.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cambridge Gardens cumulative | Penrith cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,535 | $11,796 | $261 |
| Year 3 | $35,654 | $36,460 | $806 |
| Year 5 | $61,241 | $62,627 | $1,386 |
| Year 10 | $132,236 | $135,228 | $2,992 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cambridge Gardens or Penrith cheaper to live in?
Cambridge Gardens is cheaper to run by car at $11,535 per year versus $11,796 for Penrith, a difference of $261 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cambridge Gardens and Penrith?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,604 in Cambridge Gardens (Penrith rates (OLG) and $1,604 in Penrith (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cambridge Gardens and $1,548 in Penrith. 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 Cambridge Gardens and Penrith?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,533 from Cambridge Gardens and $6,344 from Penrith to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cambridge Gardens and $2,400 from Penrith.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cambridge Gardens and Penrith?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cambridge Gardens costs a cumulative $132,236 and Penrith costs $135,228 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,992 in favour of Cambridge Gardens. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cambridge Gardens and Penrith 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Penrith rates (OLG and Penrith 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.