Lugarno vs Peakhurst Heights: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lugarno and Peakhurst Heights are both Georges River rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 19.3 km and 18.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Peakhurst Heights runs $1,074 a year cheaper than Lugarno, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,312.
Over 10 years, Peakhurst Heights costs about $12,300 less to run than Lugarno — the same as paying $12,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Peakhurst Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lugarno | Peakhurst Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,447 | $1,447 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,948 | $4,824 | +$124 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $2,300 | +$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,193 | $10,119 | +$1,074 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,631 | $7,681 | +$950 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lugarno | Peakhurst Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 Peakhurst Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Peakhurst Heights costs $1,074 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,312 in favour of Peakhurst Heights.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. Lugarno carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $950 per year, $8,631 from Lugarno versus $7,681 from Peakhurst Heights.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lugarno cumulative | Peakhurst Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,193 | $10,119 | $1,074 |
| Year 3 | $34,596 | $31,277 | $3,319 |
| Year 5 | $59,425 | $53,723 | $5,702 |
| Year 10 | $128,315 | $116,003 | $12,312 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lugarno or Peakhurst Heights cheaper to live in?
Peakhurst Heights is cheaper to run by car at $10,119 per year versus $11,193 for Lugarno, a difference of $1,074 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lugarno and Peakhurst Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,447 in Lugarno (Georges River rates (OLG) and $1,447 in Peakhurst Heights (Georges River rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Lugarno and $1,548 in Peakhurst 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 Peakhurst Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,948 from Lugarno and $4,824 from Peakhurst Heights to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Lugarno and $2,386 from Peakhurst Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lugarno and Peakhurst Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lugarno costs a cumulative $128,315 and Peakhurst Heights costs $116,003 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,312 in favour of Peakhurst Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lugarno and Peakhurst 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.
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Sources: Georges River rates (OLG and Georges River rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.