East Hills vs Panania: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
East Hills and Panania are both Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 22.7 km and 21.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $171 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 →East Hills
Panania
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | East Hills | Panania | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,681 | $5,510 | +$171 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,556 | $11,385 | +$171 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,275 | $8,275 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | East Hills | Panania | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — East Hills vs Panania (2026-27)
What the numbers show
East Hills and Panania cost within $171 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,961, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $171 per year. East Hills is 22.7 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, $8,275 and $8,275 a year, so the $171 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Panania by $171 a year, $5,510 against $5,681.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,950 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 | East Hills cumulative | Panania cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,556 | $11,385 | $171 |
| Year 3 | $35,718 | $35,190 | $528 |
| Year 5 | $61,352 | $60,445 | $907 |
| Year 10 | $132,477 | $130,516 | $1,961 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is East Hills or Panania cheaper to live in?
Panania is cheaper to run by car at $11,385 per year versus $11,556 for East Hills, a difference of $171 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in East Hills and Panania?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in East Hills (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Panania (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in East Hills and $1,548 in Panania. 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 East Hills and Panania?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,681 from East Hills and $5,510 from Panania to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from East Hills and $2,400 from Panania.
What is the 10-year cost difference between East Hills and Panania?
At 3% annual cost growth, East Hills costs a cumulative $132,477 and Panania costs $130,516 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,961 in favour of Panania. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of East Hills and Panania 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: Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG and Canterbury-Bankstown 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.