Hurstville vs Penshurst: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hurstville and Penshurst are both Georges River rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 14.5 km and 15.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $218 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 →Hurstville
Penshurst
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hurstville | Penshurst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,447 | $1,447 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,149 | $4,367 | -$218 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,994 | $9,212 | -$218 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,231 | $7,231 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hurstville | Penshurst | 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 — Hurstville vs Penshurst (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hurstville and Penshurst cost within $218 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,499, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $218 per year. Penshurst is 15.5 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, $7,231 and $7,231 a year, so the $218 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,447 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Hurstville by $218 a year, $4,149 against $4,367.
- 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 8.6 in Hurstville against 7.5 in Penshurst, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hurstville cumulative | Penshurst cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,994 | $9,212 | $218 |
| Year 3 | $27,800 | $28,473 | $673 |
| Year 5 | $47,750 | $48,908 | $1,158 |
| Year 10 | $103,106 | $105,605 | $2,499 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hurstville or Penshurst cheaper to live in?
Hurstville is cheaper to run by car at $8,994 per year versus $9,212 for Penshurst, a difference of $218 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hurstville and Penshurst?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,447 in Hurstville (Georges River rates (OLG) and $1,447 in Penshurst (Georges River rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Hurstville and $1,548 in Penshurst. 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 Hurstville and Penshurst?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,149 from Hurstville and $4,367 from Penshurst to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Hurstville and $2,386 from Penshurst.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hurstville and Penshurst?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hurstville costs a cumulative $103,106 and Penshurst costs $105,605 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,499 in favour of Hurstville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hurstville and Penshurst 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: Georges River rates (OLG and Georges River 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.