Liverpool vs 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
Liverpool (Liverpool rates (OLG) and Penrith (Penrith rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (27.9 km and 49.9 km).
Liverpool runs $439 a year cheaper than Penrith, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,032.
Over 10 years, Liverpool costs about $5,000 less to run than Penrith. That's about $10 a week.
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Penrith
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Liverpool | Penrith | 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 | $6,349 | $6,560 | -$211 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,123 | $11,562 | -$439 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,174 | $7,402 | -$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 | Liverpool | 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, Liverpool vs Penrith (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Liverpool costs $439 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,032 in favour of Liverpool.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $228 per year.
On public transport the gap is $228 per year, $7,174 from Liverpool versus $7,402 from Penrith.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Liverpool by $228 a year, $1,376 against $1,604.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Liverpool by $211 a year, $6,349 against $6,560.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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.
The catchment state school scores 5.4 in Liverpool against 1.3 in Penrith, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Liverpool cumulative | Penrith cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,123 | $11,562 | $439 |
| Year 3 | $34,380 | $35,737 | $1,357 |
| Year 5 | $59,054 | $61,384 | $2,330 |
| Year 10 | $127,513 | $132,545 | $5,032 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Liverpool or Penrith cheaper to live in?
Liverpool is cheaper to run by car at $11,123 per year versus $11,562 for Penrith, a difference of $439 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Liverpool and Penrith?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Liverpool (Liverpool rates (OLG) and $1,604 in Penrith (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Liverpool and $1,548 in 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 Liverpool and Penrith?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,349 from Liverpool and $6,560 from Penrith to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Liverpool and $2,400 from Penrith.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Liverpool and Penrith?
At 3% annual cost growth, Liverpool costs a cumulative $127,513 and Penrith costs $132,545 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,032 in favour of Liverpool. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Liverpool and Penrith 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.