Penrose vs Wingello: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Penrose and Wingello are both Wingecarribee rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 128.5 km and 131 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Penrose
Wingello
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Penrose | Wingello | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,140 | $2,140 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,440 | $23,440 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,240 | $8,240 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Penrose | Wingello | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,554 | $2,554 | - |
| Unit | $2,020 | $2,020 | - |
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 — Penrose vs Wingello (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Penrose and Wingello cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,240 and $8,240 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Penrose cumulative | Wingello cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,440 | $23,440 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,451 | $72,451 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $124,446 | $124,446 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $268,713 | $268,713 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Penrose or Wingello cheaper to live in?
Penrose is cheaper to run by car at $23,440 per year versus $23,440 for Wingello, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Penrose and Wingello?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,140 in Penrose (Wingecarribee rates (OLG) and $2,140 in Wingello (Wingecarribee rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Penrose and $1,300 in Wingello. 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 Penrose and Wingello?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Penrose and $17,600 from Wingello to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Penrose and $2,400 from Wingello.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Penrose and Wingello?
At 3% annual cost growth, Penrose costs a cumulative $268,713 and Wingello costs $268,713 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Penrose. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Penrose and Wingello 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: Wingecarribee rates (OLG and Wingecarribee 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.