North St Marys vs Whalan, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
North St Marys (Penrith rates (OLG) and Whalan (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (40.8 km and 40 km).
Whalan runs $542 a year cheaper than North St Marys, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,213.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $6,200, about $12 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Whalan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North St Marys | Whalan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,604 | $1,360 | +$244 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,986 | $6,988 | -$2 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $1,850 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,288 | $11,746 | +$542 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,702 | $7,158 | +$544 |
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 | North St Marys | Whalan | 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, North St Marys vs Whalan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North St Marys and Whalan differ by $542 a year by car, but $300 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $242, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $544 per year, $7,702 from North St Marys versus $7,158 from Whalan.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Whalan by $244 a year, $1,360 against $1,604.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours North St Marys by $2 a year, $6,986 against $6,988.
- Building insurance favours Whalan by $300 a year, $1,850 against $2,150.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in North St Marys against low in Whalan, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North St Marys cumulative | Whalan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,288 | $11,746 | $542 |
| Year 3 | $37,981 | $36,306 | $1,675 |
| Year 5 | $65,239 | $62,361 | $2,878 |
| Year 10 | $140,868 | $134,655 | $6,213 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North St Marys or Whalan cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. North St Marys runs $12,288 a year by car and Whalan $11,746, but most of the $542 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $242. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in North St Marys and Whalan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,604 in North St Marys (Penrith rates (OLG) and $1,360 in Whalan (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in North St Marys and $1,548 in Whalan. 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 North St Marys and Whalan?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,986 from North St Marys and $6,988 from Whalan to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from North St Marys and $2,400 from Whalan.
What is the 10-year cost difference between North St Marys and Whalan?
At 3% annual cost growth, North St Marys costs a cumulative $140,868 and Whalan costs $134,655 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,213 in favour of Whalan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North St Marys and Whalan suits you better?
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Sources: Penrith rates (OLG and Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for 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.