Pennant Hills vs South Turramurra: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Pennant Hills (Hornsby rates (OLG) and South Turramurra (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (18.5 km and 16.1 km).
The two sit within $172 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 →Pennant Hills
South Turramurra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Pennant Hills | South Turramurra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $2,189 | -$648 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,970 | $4,494 | +$476 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,609 | $10,781 | -$172 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,025 | $8,673 | -$648 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Pennant Hills | South Turramurra | 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 — Pennant Hills vs South Turramurra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Pennant Hills and South Turramurra cost within $172 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,972, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $648 per year.
On public transport the gap is $648 per year, $8,025 from Pennant Hills versus $8,673 from South Turramurra.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Pennant Hills by $648 a year, $1,541 against $2,189.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours South Turramurra by $476 a year, $4,494 against $4,970.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,550 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Pennant Hills cumulative | South Turramurra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,609 | $10,781 | $172 |
| Year 3 | $32,791 | $33,323 | $532 |
| Year 5 | $56,325 | $57,238 | $913 |
| Year 10 | $121,620 | $123,592 | $1,972 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pennant Hills or South Turramurra cheaper to live in?
Pennant Hills is cheaper to run by car at $10,609 per year versus $10,781 for South Turramurra, a difference of $172 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Pennant Hills and South Turramurra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Pennant Hills (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $2,189 in South Turramurra (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Pennant Hills and $1,548 in South Turramurra. 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 Pennant Hills and South Turramurra?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,970 from Pennant Hills and $4,494 from South Turramurra to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Pennant Hills and $2,386 from South Turramurra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Pennant Hills and South Turramurra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Pennant Hills costs a cumulative $121,620 and South Turramurra costs $123,592 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,972 in favour of Pennant Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Pennant Hills and South Turramurra 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: Hornsby rates (OLG and Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.