Cranebrook vs Penrith: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cranebrook and Penrith are both Penrith rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 49.3 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 $99 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 →Cranebrook
Penrith
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cranebrook | Penrith | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,611 | $6,560 | +$51 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,300 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,913 | $12,012 | -$99 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,702 | $7,852 | -$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cranebrook | Penrith | 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 — Cranebrook vs Penrith (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cranebrook and Penrith cost within $99 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,135, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. Penrith carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,702 and $7,852 a year, so the $99 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 Penrith by $51 a year, $6,560 against $6,611.
- Building insurance favours Cranebrook by $150 a year, $2,150 against $2,300.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Penrith against low in Cranebrook, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Cranebrook against low in Penrith, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 5.5 in Cranebrook against 1.3 in Penrith, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cranebrook cumulative | Penrith cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,913 | $12,012 | $99 |
| Year 3 | $36,822 | $37,128 | $306 |
| Year 5 | $63,248 | $63,773 | $525 |
| Year 10 | $136,569 | $137,704 | $1,135 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cranebrook or Penrith cheaper to live in?
Cranebrook is cheaper to run by car at $11,913 per year versus $12,012 for Penrith, a difference of $99 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cranebrook and Penrith?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,604 in Cranebrook (Penrith rates (OLG) and $1,604 in Penrith (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cranebrook 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 Cranebrook and Penrith?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,611 from Cranebrook and $6,560 from Penrith to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cranebrook and $2,400 from Penrith.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cranebrook and Penrith?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cranebrook costs a cumulative $136,569 and Penrith costs $137,704 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,135 in favour of Cranebrook. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cranebrook 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.