Emerton vs North 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
Emerton (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for) and North St Marys (Penrith rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (39.7 km and 40.8 km).
Emerton runs $542 a year cheaper than North St Marys, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,213.
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 →Emerton
North St Marys
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Emerton | North St Marys | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,360 | $1,604 | -$244 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,758 | $6,756 | +$2 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,150 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,516 | $12,058 | -$542 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,158 | $7,702 | -$544 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Emerton | North 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 — Emerton vs North St Marys (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Emerton costs $542 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,213 in favour of Emerton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $544 per year, $7,158 from Emerton versus $7,702 from North St Marys.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Emerton cumulative | North St Marys cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,516 | $12,058 | $542 |
| Year 3 | $35,595 | $37,270 | $1,675 |
| Year 5 | $61,140 | $64,018 | $2,878 |
| Year 10 | $132,018 | $138,231 | $6,213 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Emerton or North St Marys cheaper to live in?
Emerton is cheaper to run by car at $11,516 per year versus $12,058 for North St Marys, a difference of $542 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Emerton and North St Marys?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,360 in Emerton (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for) and $1,604 in North St Marys (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Emerton and $1,548 in North 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 Emerton and North St Marys?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,758 from Emerton and $6,756 from North St Marys to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Emerton and $2,400 from North St Marys.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Emerton and North St Marys?
At 3% annual cost growth, Emerton costs a cumulative $132,018 and North St Marys costs $138,231 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,213 in favour of Emerton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Emerton and North 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for 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.