Padstow vs Padstow 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
Padstow and Padstow Heights are both Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 18.7 km and 19.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Padstow runs $493 a year cheaper than Padstow Heights, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,652.
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 →Padstow
Padstow Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Padstow | Padstow Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,842 | $5,035 | -$193 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $3,250 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,717 | $11,210 | -$493 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,261 | $8,561 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Padstow | Padstow 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 — Padstow vs Padstow Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Padstow costs $493 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,652 in favour of Padstow.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Padstow Heights carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,261 from Padstow versus $8,561 from Padstow Heights.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Padstow cumulative | Padstow Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,717 | $11,210 | $493 |
| Year 3 | $33,125 | $34,649 | $1,524 |
| Year 5 | $56,898 | $59,515 | $2,617 |
| Year 10 | $122,858 | $128,510 | $5,652 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Padstow or Padstow Heights cheaper to live in?
Padstow is cheaper to run by car at $10,717 per year versus $11,210 for Padstow Heights, a difference of $493 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Padstow and Padstow Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Padstow (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Padstow Heights (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Padstow 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 Padstow and Padstow Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,842 from Padstow and $5,035 from Padstow Heights to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Padstow and $2,386 from Padstow Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Padstow and Padstow Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Padstow costs a cumulative $122,858 and Padstow Heights costs $128,510 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,652 in favour of Padstow. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Padstow 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: Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG and Canterbury-Bankstown 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.