Pemulwuy vs Wetherill Park, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Pemulwuy (Cumberland rates (OLG) and Wetherill Park (Fairfield rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (26.9 km and 28.4 km).
The two sit within $208 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, Pemulwuy costs about $2,400 less to run than Wetherill Park. That's about $5 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Sydney suburbs that fit your budget →Pemulwuy
Wetherill Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Pemulwuy | Wetherill Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,083 | $1,030 | +$53 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,240 | $6,401 | -$161 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,500 | $1,600 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,371 | $10,579 | -$208 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,531 | $6,578 | -$47 |
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 | Pemulwuy | Wetherill Park | 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, Pemulwuy vs Wetherill Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Pemulwuy and Wetherill Park cost within $208 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,384, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $161 per year. Wetherill Park is 28.4 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,531 and $6,578 a year, so the $208 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Wetherill Park by $53 a year, $1,030 against $1,083.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Pemulwuy by $161 a year, $6,240 against $6,401.
- Building insurance favours Pemulwuy by $100 a year, $1,500 against $1,600.
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 8 in Pemulwuy against 5.3 in Wetherill Park, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Pemulwuy cumulative | Wetherill Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,371 | $10,579 | $208 |
| Year 3 | $32,056 | $32,699 | $643 |
| Year 5 | $55,061 | $56,165 | $1,104 |
| Year 10 | $118,892 | $121,276 | $2,384 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pemulwuy or Wetherill Park cheaper to live in?
Pemulwuy is cheaper to run by car at $10,371 per year versus $10,579 for Wetherill Park, a difference of $208 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Pemulwuy and Wetherill Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,083 in Pemulwuy (Cumberland rates (OLG) and $1,030 in Wetherill Park (Fairfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Pemulwuy and $1,548 in Wetherill Park. 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 Pemulwuy and Wetherill Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,240 from Pemulwuy and $6,401 from Wetherill Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Pemulwuy and $2,400 from Wetherill Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Pemulwuy and Wetherill Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Pemulwuy costs a cumulative $118,892 and Wetherill Park costs $121,276 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,384 in favour of Pemulwuy. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Pemulwuy and Wetherill Park suits you better?
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: Cumberland rates (OLG and Fairfield 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.