Padstow vs Riverwood, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Padstow (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and Riverwood (Georges River rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (18.7 km and 17 km).
The two sit within $41 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
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Riverwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Padstow | Riverwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,447 | -$70 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,007 | $4,678 | +$329 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $2,350 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,982 | $10,023 | -$41 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,361 | $7,731 | -$370 |
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 | Padstow | Riverwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Padstow vs Riverwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Padstow and Riverwood cost within $41 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $470, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $329 per year. Padstow is 18.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $370 per year, $7,361 from Padstow versus $7,731 from Riverwood.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Padstow by $70 a year, $1,377 against $1,447.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Riverwood by $329 a year, $4,678 against $5,007.
- Building insurance favours Padstow by $300 a year, $2,050 against $2,350.
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.
The catchment state school scores 6.9 in Padstow against 5 in Riverwood, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Padstow cumulative | Riverwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,982 | $10,023 | $41 |
| Year 3 | $30,853 | $30,980 | $127 |
| Year 5 | $52,996 | $53,213 | $217 |
| Year 10 | $114,432 | $114,902 | $470 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Padstow or Riverwood cheaper to live in?
Padstow is cheaper to run by car at $9,982 per year versus $10,023 for Riverwood, a difference of $41 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Padstow and Riverwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Padstow (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,447 in Riverwood (Georges River rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Padstow and $1,548 in Riverwood. 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 Riverwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,007 from Padstow and $4,678 from Riverwood to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Padstow and $2,386 from Riverwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Padstow and Riverwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Padstow costs a cumulative $114,432 and Riverwood costs $114,902 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $470 in favour of Padstow. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Padstow and Riverwood suits you better?
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Sources: Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG and Georges River rates (OLG 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.