Jamisontown vs South Penrith: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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.
South Penrith runs $311 a year cheaper than Jamisontown, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,565.
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 →Jamisontown
South Penrith
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Jamisontown | South Penrith | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,328 | $6,467 | -$139 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,780 | $11,469 | +$311 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,852 | $7,402 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Jamisontown | South Penrith | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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
South Penrith costs $311 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,565 in favour of South Penrith.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Jamisontown carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,852 from Jamisontown versus $7,402 from South Penrith.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Jamisontown cumulative | South Penrith cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,780 | $11,469 | $311 |
| Year 3 | $36,411 | $35,450 | $961 |
| Year 5 | $62,542 | $60,890 | $1,652 |
| Year 10 | $135,044 | $131,479 | $3,565 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jamisontown or South Penrith cheaper to live in?
South Penrith is cheaper to run by car at $11,469 per year versus $11,780 for Jamisontown, a difference of $311 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. 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 $6,328 from Jamisontown and $6,467 from South Penrith to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $135,044 and South Penrith costs $131,479 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,565 in favour of South Penrith. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Jamisontown and South Penrith 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: Penrith rates (OLG and Penrith rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.