Claremont Meadows vs Werrington: 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 Werrington are both Penrith rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 43 km and 43.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Werrington runs $313 a year cheaper than Claremont Meadows, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,589.
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
Werrington
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Claremont Meadows | Werrington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,720 | $6,707 | +$13 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $2,300 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,472 | $12,159 | +$313 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,152 | $7,852 | +$300 |
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 | Werrington | 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 Werrington (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Werrington costs $313 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,589 in favour of Werrington.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Claremont Meadows carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,152 from Claremont Meadows versus $7,852 from Werrington.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Claremont Meadows cumulative | Werrington cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,472 | $12,159 | $313 |
| Year 3 | $38,550 | $37,582 | $968 |
| Year 5 | $66,216 | $64,554 | $1,662 |
| Year 10 | $142,978 | $139,389 | $3,589 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claremont Meadows or Werrington cheaper to live in?
Werrington is cheaper to run by car at $12,159 per year versus $12,472 for Claremont Meadows, a difference of $313 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 Werrington?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,604 in Claremont Meadows (Penrith rates (OLG) and $1,604 in Werrington (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Claremont Meadows and $1,548 in Werrington. 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 Werrington?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,720 from Claremont Meadows and $6,707 from Werrington to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Claremont Meadows and $2,400 from Werrington.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Claremont Meadows and Werrington?
At 3% annual cost growth, Claremont Meadows costs a cumulative $142,978 and Werrington costs $139,389 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,589 in favour of Werrington. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Claremont Meadows and Werrington 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.