Petersham vs Summer Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Petersham and Summer Hill are both Inner West rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 5.8 km and 7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Petersham runs $352 a year cheaper than Summer Hill, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,035.
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
Summer Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Petersham | Summer Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,401 | $1,401 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,880 | $2,232 | -$352 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,129 | $7,481 | -$352 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,169 | $7,169 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Petersham | Summer Hill | 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 — Petersham vs Summer Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Petersham costs $352 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,035 in favour of Petersham.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $352 per year. Summer Hill is 7 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, $7,169 and $7,169 a year, so the $352 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,401 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Petersham by $352 a year, $1,880 against $2,232.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,300 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Petersham cumulative | Summer Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,129 | $7,481 | $352 |
| Year 3 | $22,035 | $23,123 | $1,088 |
| Year 5 | $37,849 | $39,718 | $1,869 |
| Year 10 | $81,726 | $85,761 | $4,035 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Petersham or Summer Hill cheaper to live in?
Petersham is cheaper to run by car at $7,129 per year versus $7,481 for Summer Hill, a difference of $352 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Petersham and Summer Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,401 in Petersham (Inner West rates (OLG) and $1,401 in Summer Hill (Inner West rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Petersham and $1,548 in Summer Hill. 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 Summer Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,880 from Petersham and $2,232 from Summer Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Petersham and $1,920 from Summer Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Petersham and Summer Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Petersham costs a cumulative $81,726 and Summer Hill costs $85,761 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,035 in favour of Petersham. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Petersham and Summer Hill 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.