Jordan Springs vs St Marys: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Jordan Springs and St Marys are both Penrith rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 45.1 km and 43.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
St Marys runs $331 a year cheaper than Jordan Springs, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,794.
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 →Jordan Springs
St Marys
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Jordan Springs | St Marys | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,649 | $6,718 | -$69 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,600 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,801 | $12,470 | +$331 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,552 | $8,152 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Jordan Springs | St Marys | 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 — Jordan Springs vs St Marys (2026-27)
What the numbers show
St Marys costs $331 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,794 in favour of St Marys.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Jordan Springs carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,552 from Jordan Springs versus $8,152 from St Marys.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Jordan Springs cumulative | St Marys cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,801 | $12,470 | $331 |
| Year 3 | $39,567 | $38,544 | $1,023 |
| Year 5 | $67,962 | $66,205 | $1,757 |
| Year 10 | $146,749 | $142,955 | $3,794 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jordan Springs or St Marys cheaper to live in?
St Marys is cheaper to run by car at $12,470 per year versus $12,801 for Jordan Springs, a difference of $331 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Jordan Springs and St Marys?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,604 in Jordan Springs (Penrith rates (OLG) and $1,604 in St Marys (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Jordan Springs and $1,548 in St Marys. 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 Jordan Springs and St Marys?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,649 from Jordan Springs and $6,718 from St Marys to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Jordan Springs and $2,400 from St Marys.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Jordan Springs and St Marys?
At 3% annual cost growth, Jordan Springs costs a cumulative $146,749 and St Marys costs $142,955 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,794 in favour of St Marys. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Jordan Springs and St Marys 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.