Mortdale vs Penshurst: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mortdale and Penshurst are both Georges River rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 16.9 km and 15.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Penshurst runs $731 a year cheaper than Mortdale, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,381.
Over 10 years, Penshurst costs about $8,400 less to run than Mortdale — the same as paying $8,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Penshurst
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mortdale | Penshurst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,447 | $1,447 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,504 | $4,223 | +$281 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,799 | $9,068 | +$731 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,681 | $7,231 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mortdale | Penshurst | 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 — Mortdale vs Penshurst (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Penshurst costs $731 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,381 in favour of Penshurst.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Mortdale carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,681 from Mortdale versus $7,231 from Penshurst.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mortdale cumulative | Penshurst cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,799 | $9,068 | $731 |
| Year 3 | $30,288 | $28,028 | $2,260 |
| Year 5 | $52,024 | $48,143 | $3,881 |
| Year 10 | $112,335 | $103,954 | $8,381 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mortdale or Penshurst cheaper to live in?
Penshurst is cheaper to run by car at $9,068 per year versus $9,799 for Mortdale, a difference of $731 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mortdale and Penshurst?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,447 in Mortdale (Georges River rates (OLG) and $1,447 in Penshurst (Georges River rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Mortdale and $1,548 in Penshurst. 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 Mortdale and Penshurst?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,504 from Mortdale and $4,223 from Penshurst to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Mortdale and $2,386 from Penshurst.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mortdale and Penshurst?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mortdale costs a cumulative $112,335 and Penshurst costs $103,954 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,381 in favour of Penshurst. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mortdale and Penshurst 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 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.