Maldon vs Picton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Maldon and Picton are both Wollondilly rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 64.3 km and 64.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Picton runs $420 a year cheaper than Maldon, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,815.
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 →Maldon
Picton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Maldon | Picton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,195 | $2,195 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,264 | $4,244 | +$20 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,407 | $9,987 | +$420 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,543 | $8,143 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Maldon | Picton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Maldon vs Picton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Picton costs $420 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,815 in favour of Picton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,543 from Maldon versus $8,143 from Picton.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Maldon cumulative | Picton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,407 | $9,987 | $420 |
| Year 3 | $32,167 | $30,869 | $1,298 |
| Year 5 | $55,252 | $53,022 | $2,230 |
| Year 10 | $119,305 | $114,490 | $4,815 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maldon or Picton cheaper to live in?
Picton is cheaper to run by car at $9,987 per year versus $10,407 for Maldon, a difference of $420 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Maldon and Picton?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,195 in Maldon (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and $2,195 in Picton (Wollondilly rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Maldon and $1,548 in Picton. 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 Maldon and Picton?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,264 from Maldon and $4,244 from Picton to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Maldon and $2,400 from Picton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Maldon and Picton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Maldon costs a cumulative $119,305 and Picton costs $114,490 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,815 in favour of Picton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Maldon and Picton 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: Wollondilly rates (OLG and Wollondilly 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.