Girraween vs Pendle Hill, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Girraween (Cumberland rates (OLG) and Pendle Hill (Parramatta rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (25.5 km and 24.3 km).
The two sit within $85 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.
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Pendle Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Girraween | Pendle Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,083 | $1,156 | -$73 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,070 | $5,912 | +$158 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,300 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,201 | $10,116 | +$85 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,531 | $6,604 | -$73 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Girraween | Pendle Hill | 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, Girraween vs Pendle Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Girraween and Pendle Hill cost within $85 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $974, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $158 per year. Girraween is 25.5 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, $6,531 and $6,604 a year, so the $85 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Girraween by $73 a year, $1,083 against $1,156.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Pendle Hill by $158 a year, $5,912 against $6,070.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,500 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Girraween cumulative | Pendle Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,201 | $10,116 | $85 |
| Year 3 | $31,530 | $31,268 | $262 |
| Year 5 | $54,158 | $53,707 | $451 |
| Year 10 | $116,943 | $115,969 | $974 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Girraween or Pendle Hill cheaper to live in?
Pendle Hill is cheaper to run by car at $10,116 per year versus $10,201 for Girraween, a difference of $85 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Girraween and Pendle Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,083 in Girraween (Cumberland rates (OLG) and $1,156 in Pendle Hill (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Girraween and $1,548 in Pendle Hill. 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 Girraween and Pendle Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,070 from Girraween and $5,912 from Pendle Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Girraween and $2,400 from Pendle Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Girraween and Pendle Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Girraween costs a cumulative $116,943 and Pendle Hill costs $115,969 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $974 in favour of Pendle Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Girraween and Pendle Hill suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Cumberland rates (OLG and Parramatta rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.