Lugarno vs Padstow Heights: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lugarno (Georges River rates (OLG) and Padstow Heights (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (19.3 km and 19.8 km).
The two sit within $20 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 →Lugarno
Padstow Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lugarno | Padstow Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,447 | $1,377 | +$70 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,117 | $5,207 | -$90 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $3,250 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,362 | $11,382 | -$20 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,631 | $8,561 | +$70 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lugarno | Padstow Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Lugarno vs Padstow Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lugarno and Padstow Heights cost within $20 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $229, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $90 per year. Padstow Heights is 19.8 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, $8,631 and $8,561 a year, so the $20 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Padstow Heights by $70 a year, $1,377 against $1,447.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Lugarno by $90 a year, $5,117 against $5,207.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,250 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 8.5 in Lugarno against 7.3 in Padstow Heights, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lugarno cumulative | Padstow Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,362 | $11,382 | $20 |
| Year 3 | $35,119 | $35,181 | $62 |
| Year 5 | $60,322 | $60,429 | $107 |
| Year 10 | $130,253 | $130,482 | $229 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lugarno or Padstow Heights cheaper to live in?
Lugarno is cheaper to run by car at $11,362 per year versus $11,382 for Padstow Heights, a difference of $20 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lugarno and Padstow Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,447 in Lugarno (Georges River rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Padstow Heights (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Lugarno and $1,548 in Padstow Heights. 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 Lugarno and Padstow Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,117 from Lugarno and $5,207 from Padstow Heights to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Lugarno and $2,386 from Padstow Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lugarno and Padstow Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lugarno costs a cumulative $130,253 and Padstow Heights costs $130,482 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $229 in favour of Lugarno. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lugarno and Padstow Heights 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: Georges River rates (OLG and Canterbury-Bankstown 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.