East Hills vs Picnic Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
East Hills and Picnic Point are both Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 22.7 km and 21.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $181 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
Picnic Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | East Hills | Picnic Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,494 | $5,375 | +$119 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $3,250 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,369 | $11,550 | -$181 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,275 | $8,575 | -$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 | East Hills | Picnic Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — East Hills vs Picnic Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
East Hills and Picnic Point cost within $181 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,075, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Picnic Point carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,275 from East Hills versus $8,575 from Picnic Point.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | East Hills cumulative | Picnic Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,369 | $11,550 | $181 |
| Year 3 | $35,140 | $35,700 | $560 |
| Year 5 | $60,360 | $61,321 | $961 |
| Year 10 | $130,333 | $132,408 | $2,075 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is East Hills or Picnic Point cheaper to live in?
East Hills is cheaper to run by car at $11,369 per year versus $11,550 for Picnic Point, a difference of $181 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in East Hills and Picnic Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in East Hills (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Picnic Point (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in East Hills and $1,548 in Picnic Point. 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 Picnic Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,494 from East Hills and $5,375 from Picnic Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from East Hills and $2,400 from Picnic Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between East Hills and Picnic Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, East Hills costs a cumulative $130,333 and Picnic Point costs $132,408 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,075 in favour of East Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of East Hills and Picnic Point 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.