Gordon vs West Pymble: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gordon and West Pymble are both Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in suburbs, sitting 13.4 km and 13.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Gordon
West Pymble
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gordon | West Pymble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,189 | $2,189 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,899 | $3,899 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,786 | $9,786 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,273 | $8,273 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Gordon | West Pymble | 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 — Gordon vs West Pymble (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gordon and West Pymble cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,273 and $8,273 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,189 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $3,899 a year.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 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. On these four costs they are identical.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gordon cumulative | West Pymble cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,786 | $9,786 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $30,248 | $30,248 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $51,955 | $51,955 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $112,186 | $112,186 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gordon or West Pymble cheaper to live in?
Gordon is cheaper to run by car at $9,786 per year versus $9,786 for West Pymble, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gordon and West Pymble?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,189 in Gordon (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in) and $2,189 in West Pymble (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Gordon and $1,548 in West Pymble. 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 Gordon and West Pymble?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,899 from Gordon and $3,899 from West Pymble to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Gordon and $2,386 from West Pymble.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gordon and West Pymble?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gordon costs a cumulative $112,186 and West Pymble costs $112,186 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Gordon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gordon and West Pymble 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: Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in and Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in 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.