Claremont Meadows vs Orchard Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Claremont Meadows and Orchard Hills are both Penrith rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 43 km and 45.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $73 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 →Claremont Meadows
Orchard Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Claremont Meadows | Orchard Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,949 | $6,876 | +$73 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,701 | $12,628 | +$73 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,152 | $8,152 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Claremont Meadows | Orchard Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Claremont Meadows vs Orchard Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Claremont Meadows and Orchard Hills cost within $73 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $837, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $73 per year. Orchard Hills is 45.1 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,152 and $8,152 a year, so the $73 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,604 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Orchard Hills by $73 a year, $6,876 against $6,949.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,600 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Claremont Meadows cumulative | Orchard Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,701 | $12,628 | $73 |
| Year 3 | $39,258 | $39,032 | $226 |
| Year 5 | $67,431 | $67,044 | $387 |
| Year 10 | $145,603 | $144,766 | $837 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claremont Meadows or Orchard Hills cheaper to live in?
Orchard Hills is cheaper to run by car at $12,628 per year versus $12,701 for Claremont Meadows, a difference of $73 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Claremont Meadows and Orchard Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,604 in Claremont Meadows (Penrith rates (OLG) and $1,604 in Orchard Hills (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Claremont Meadows and $1,548 in Orchard Hills. 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 Claremont Meadows and Orchard Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,949 from Claremont Meadows and $6,876 from Orchard Hills to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Claremont Meadows and $2,400 from Orchard Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Claremont Meadows and Orchard Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Claremont Meadows costs a cumulative $145,603 and Orchard Hills costs $144,766 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $837 in favour of Orchard Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Claremont Meadows and Orchard Hills 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.