Greenacre vs Mount Lewis: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Greenacre and Mount Lewis are both Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 14.8 km and 15.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $174 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 →Greenacre
Mount Lewis
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Greenacre | Mount Lewis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,215 | $4,389 | -$174 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,990 | $9,164 | -$174 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,161 | $7,161 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Greenacre | Mount Lewis | 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 — Greenacre vs Mount Lewis (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Greenacre and Mount Lewis cost within $174 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,995, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $174 per year. Mount Lewis is 15.6 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, $7,161 and $7,161 a year, so the $174 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 Greenacre by $174 a year, $4,215 against $4,389.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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.
The catchment state school scores 7.2 in Mount Lewis against 5.5 in Greenacre, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Greenacre cumulative | Mount Lewis cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,990 | $9,164 | $174 |
| Year 3 | $27,787 | $28,325 | $538 |
| Year 5 | $47,729 | $48,653 | $924 |
| Year 10 | $103,060 | $105,055 | $1,995 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Greenacre or Mount Lewis cheaper to live in?
Greenacre is cheaper to run by car at $8,990 per year versus $9,164 for Mount Lewis, a difference of $174 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Greenacre and Mount Lewis?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Greenacre (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Mount Lewis (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Greenacre and $1,548 in Mount Lewis. 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 Greenacre and Mount Lewis?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,215 from Greenacre and $4,389 from Mount Lewis to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Greenacre and $2,386 from Mount Lewis.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Greenacre and Mount Lewis?
At 3% annual cost growth, Greenacre costs a cumulative $103,060 and Mount Lewis costs $105,055 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,995 in favour of Greenacre. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Greenacre and Mount Lewis 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.