Petersham vs Stanmore: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Petersham and Stanmore are both Inner West rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 5.8 km and 4.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $293 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 →Petersham
Stanmore
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Petersham | Stanmore | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,401 | $1,401 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,818 | $1,525 | +$293 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $3,500 | -$900 |
| Total (driving) | $7,067 | $6,774 | +$293 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,169 | $7,169 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Petersham | Stanmore | 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 — Petersham vs Stanmore (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Petersham and Stanmore cost within $293 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,359, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $293 per year. Petersham is 5.8 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, $7,169 and $7,169 a year, so the $293 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Petersham cumulative | Stanmore cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,067 | $6,774 | $293 |
| Year 3 | $21,843 | $20,938 | $905 |
| Year 5 | $37,520 | $35,964 | $1,556 |
| Year 10 | $81,015 | $77,656 | $3,359 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Petersham or Stanmore cheaper to live in?
Stanmore is cheaper to run by car at $6,774 per year versus $7,067 for Petersham, a difference of $293 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Petersham and Stanmore?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,401 in Petersham (Inner West rates (OLG) and $1,401 in Stanmore (Inner West rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Petersham and $1,548 in Stanmore. 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 Petersham and Stanmore?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,818 from Petersham and $1,525 from Stanmore to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Petersham and $1,920 from Stanmore.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Petersham and Stanmore?
At 3% annual cost growth, Petersham costs a cumulative $81,015 and Stanmore costs $77,656 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,359 in favour of Stanmore. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Petersham and Stanmore 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: Inner West rates (OLG and Inner West 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.