Kemps Creek vs Mount Vernon, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kemps Creek (Liverpool rates (OLG) and Mount Vernon (Penrith rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (39.7 km and 36.6 km).
The two sit within $179 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, Kemps Creek costs about $2,100 less to run than Mount Vernon. That's about $4 a week.
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Mount Vernon
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kemps Creek | Mount Vernon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,604 | -$228 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,988 | $6,939 | +$49 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,600 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,512 | $11,691 | -$179 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,924 | $7,152 | -$228 |
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 | Kemps Creek | Mount Vernon | 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, Kemps Creek vs Mount Vernon (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kemps Creek and Mount Vernon cost within $179 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,052, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $228 per year.
On public transport the gap is $228 per year, $6,924 from Kemps Creek versus $7,152 from Mount Vernon.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Kemps Creek by $228 a year, $1,376 against $1,604.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mount Vernon by $49 a year, $6,939 against $6,988.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,600 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kemps Creek cumulative | Mount Vernon cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,512 | $11,691 | $179 |
| Year 3 | $35,582 | $36,136 | $554 |
| Year 5 | $61,119 | $62,069 | $950 |
| Year 10 | $131,972 | $134,024 | $2,052 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kemps Creek or Mount Vernon cheaper to live in?
Kemps Creek is cheaper to run by car at $11,512 per year versus $11,691 for Mount Vernon, a difference of $179 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kemps Creek and Mount Vernon?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Kemps Creek (Liverpool rates (OLG) and $1,604 in Mount Vernon (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kemps Creek and $1,548 in Mount Vernon. 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 Kemps Creek and Mount Vernon?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,988 from Kemps Creek and $6,939 from Mount Vernon to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kemps Creek and $2,400 from Mount Vernon.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kemps Creek and Mount Vernon?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kemps Creek costs a cumulative $131,972 and Mount Vernon costs $134,024 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,052 in favour of Kemps Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kemps Creek and Mount Vernon suits you better?
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Sources: Liverpool 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.