Pennant Hills vs Thornleigh: 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 and Thornleigh are both Hornsby rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 18.5 km and 19.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $181 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
Thornleigh
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Pennant Hills | Thornleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $1,541 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,970 | $5,189 | -$219 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,150 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,609 | $10,428 | +$181 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,025 | $7,625 | +$400 |
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 | Thornleigh | 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 Thornleigh (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Pennant Hills and Thornleigh cost within $181 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,075, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,025 from Pennant Hills versus $7,625 from Thornleigh.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,541 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Pennant Hills by $219 a year, $4,970 against $5,189.
- Building insurance favours Thornleigh by $400 a year, $2,150 against $2,550.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Pennant Hills against medium in Thornleigh, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Pennant Hills cumulative | Thornleigh cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,609 | $10,428 | $181 |
| Year 3 | $32,791 | $32,232 | $559 |
| Year 5 | $56,325 | $55,364 | $961 |
| Year 10 | $121,620 | $119,545 | $2,075 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pennant Hills or Thornleigh cheaper to live in?
Thornleigh is cheaper to run by car at $10,428 per year versus $10,609 for Pennant Hills, a difference of $181 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 Thornleigh?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Pennant Hills (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $1,541 in Thornleigh (Hornsby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Pennant Hills and $1,548 in Thornleigh. 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 Thornleigh?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,970 from Pennant Hills and $5,189 from Thornleigh to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Pennant Hills and $2,386 from Thornleigh.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Pennant Hills and Thornleigh?
At 3% annual cost growth, Pennant Hills costs a cumulative $121,620 and Thornleigh costs $119,545 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,075 in favour of Thornleigh. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Pennant Hills and Thornleigh 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.
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Sources: Hornsby rates (OLG and Hornsby rates (OLG 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.