Claremont Meadows vs St Marys: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Claremont Meadows and St Marys are both Penrith rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 43 km and 43.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $2 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.
Claremont Meadows
St Marys
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Claremont Meadows | St Marys | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,720 | $6,718 | +$2 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,472 | $12,470 | +$2 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,152 | $8,152 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Claremont Meadows | St Marys | 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 — Claremont Meadows vs St Marys (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Claremont Meadows and St Marys cost within $2 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $23, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $2 per year. St Marys is 43.1 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,152 and $8,152 a year, so the $2 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Claremont Meadows cumulative | St Marys cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,472 | $12,470 | $2 |
| Year 3 | $38,550 | $38,544 | $6 |
| Year 5 | $66,216 | $66,205 | $11 |
| Year 10 | $142,978 | $142,955 | $23 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claremont Meadows or St Marys cheaper to live in?
St Marys is cheaper to run by car at $12,470 per year versus $12,472 for Claremont Meadows, a difference of $2 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Claremont Meadows and St Marys?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,604 in Claremont Meadows (Penrith rates (OLG) and $1,604 in St Marys (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Claremont Meadows and $1,548 in St Marys. 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 St Marys?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,720 from Claremont Meadows and $6,718 from St Marys to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Claremont Meadows and $2,400 from St Marys.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Claremont Meadows and St Marys?
At 3% annual cost growth, Claremont Meadows costs a cumulative $142,978 and St Marys costs $142,955 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $23 in favour of St Marys. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Claremont Meadows and St Marys 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: 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.