Kingswood 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
Kingswood and South Penrith are both Penrith rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 46 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 $144 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 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 →Kingswood
South Penrith
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kingswood | South Penrith | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,831 | $6,687 | +$144 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,833 | $11,689 | +$144 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,402 | $7,402 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kingswood | 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 — Kingswood vs South Penrith (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kingswood and South Penrith cost within $144 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,651, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $144 per year. South Penrith is 48.3 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, $7,402 and $7,402 a year, so the $144 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 South Penrith by $144 a year, $6,687 against $6,831.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 7.2 in Kingswood against 5.3 in South Penrith, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kingswood cumulative | South Penrith cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,833 | $11,689 | $144 |
| Year 3 | $36,575 | $36,130 | $445 |
| Year 5 | $62,823 | $62,058 | $765 |
| Year 10 | $135,652 | $134,001 | $1,651 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kingswood or South Penrith cheaper to live in?
South Penrith is cheaper to run by car at $11,689 per year versus $11,833 for Kingswood, a difference of $144 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kingswood and South Penrith?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,604 in Kingswood (Penrith rates (OLG) and $1,604 in South Penrith (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kingswood 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 Kingswood and South Penrith?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,831 from Kingswood and $6,687 from South Penrith to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kingswood and $2,400 from South Penrith.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kingswood and South Penrith?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kingswood costs a cumulative $135,652 and South Penrith costs $134,001 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,651 in favour of South Penrith. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kingswood 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.