Jordan Springs vs St Marys, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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.
The two sit within $121 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, Jordan Springs costs about $1,400 less to run than St Marys. That's about $3 a week.
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St Marys
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Jordan Springs | St Marys | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,876 | $6,947 | -$71 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,400 | $2,450 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,428 | $12,549 | -$121 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,952 | $8,002 | -$50 |
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 | Jordan Springs | St Marys | 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, Jordan Springs vs St Marys (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Jordan Springs and St Marys cost within $121 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,387, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $71 per year. Jordan Springs is 45.1 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, $7,952 and $8,002 a year, so the $121 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Jordan Springs by $71 a year, $6,876 against $6,947.
- Building insurance favours Jordan Springs by $50 a year, $2,400 against $2,450.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Jordan Springs against medium in St Marys, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 5 in Jordan Springs against 2.8 in St Marys, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Jordan Springs cumulative | St Marys cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,428 | $12,549 | $121 |
| Year 3 | $38,414 | $38,788 | $374 |
| Year 5 | $65,982 | $66,624 | $642 |
| Year 10 | $142,473 | $143,860 | $1,387 |
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?
Jordan Springs is cheaper to run by car at $12,428 per year versus $12,549 for St Marys, a difference of $121 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $6,876 from Jordan Springs and $6,947 from St Marys to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $142,473 and St Marys costs $143,860 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,387 in favour of Jordan Springs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Jordan Springs and St Marys 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.