Padstow vs Riverwood: 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 (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 $248 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. 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
Riverwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Padstow | Riverwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,447 | -$70 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,842 | $4,524 | +$318 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,717 | $10,469 | +$248 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,261 | $8,331 | -$70 |
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 | Riverwood | 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 Riverwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Padstow and Riverwood cost within $248 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,843, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $318 per year. Padstow is 18.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,261 and $8,331 a year, so the $248 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Padstow cumulative | Riverwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,717 | $10,469 | $248 |
| Year 3 | $33,125 | $32,359 | $766 |
| Year 5 | $56,898 | $55,581 | $1,317 |
| Year 10 | $122,858 | $120,015 | $2,843 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Padstow or Riverwood cheaper to live in?
Riverwood is cheaper to run by car at $10,469 per year versus $10,717 for Padstow, a difference of $248 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $4,842 from Padstow and $4,524 from Riverwood to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $122,858 and Riverwood costs $120,015 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,843 in favour of Riverwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Padstow and Riverwood 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 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.