Jamisontown vs South Penrith, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Jamisontown and South Penrith are both Penrith rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 50.1 km and 48.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $207 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 the gap between these two is about $2,400, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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South Penrith
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Jamisontown | South Penrith | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,544 | $6,687 | -$143 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,500 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,546 | $11,339 | +$207 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,402 | $7,052 | +$350 |
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 | Jamisontown | South Penrith | 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, Jamisontown vs South Penrith (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Jamisontown and South Penrith differ by $207 a year by car, but $350 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $143, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year. Jamisontown carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $7,402 from Jamisontown versus $7,052 from South Penrith.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,604 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Jamisontown by $143 a year, $6,544 against $6,687.
- Building insurance favours South Penrith by $350 a year, $1,500 against $1,850.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Jamisontown against low in South Penrith, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Jamisontown cumulative | South Penrith cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,546 | $11,339 | $207 |
| Year 3 | $35,688 | $35,048 | $640 |
| Year 5 | $61,299 | $60,200 | $1,099 |
| Year 10 | $132,362 | $129,989 | $2,373 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jamisontown or South Penrith cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Jamisontown runs $11,546 a year by car and South Penrith $11,339, but most of the $207 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $143. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Jamisontown and South Penrith?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,604 in Jamisontown (Penrith rates (OLG) and $1,604 in South Penrith (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Jamisontown and $1,548 in South Penrith. 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 Jamisontown and South Penrith?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,544 from Jamisontown and $6,687 from South Penrith to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Jamisontown and $2,400 from South Penrith.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Jamisontown and South Penrith?
At 3% annual cost growth, Jamisontown costs a cumulative $132,362 and South Penrith costs $129,989 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,373 in favour of South Penrith. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Jamisontown and South Penrith suits you better?
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Sources: Penrith rates (OLG and Penrith 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.