Pheasants Nest vs Tahmoor: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Pheasants Nest and Tahmoor are both Wollondilly rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 68.2 km and 69 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tahmoor runs $593 a year cheaper than Pheasants Nest, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,798.
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 →Pheasants Nest
Tahmoor
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Pheasants Nest | Tahmoor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,195 | $2,195 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,399 | $3,206 | +$193 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,542 | $8,949 | +$593 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,543 | $8,143 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Pheasants Nest | Tahmoor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Pheasants Nest vs Tahmoor (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tahmoor costs $593 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,798 in favour of Tahmoor.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,543 from Pheasants Nest versus $8,143 from Tahmoor.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Pheasants Nest cumulative | Tahmoor cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,542 | $8,949 | $593 |
| Year 3 | $29,493 | $27,660 | $1,833 |
| Year 5 | $50,660 | $47,511 | $3,149 |
| Year 10 | $109,388 | $102,590 | $6,798 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pheasants Nest or Tahmoor cheaper to live in?
Tahmoor is cheaper to run by car at $8,949 per year versus $9,542 for Pheasants Nest, a difference of $593 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Pheasants Nest and Tahmoor?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,195 in Pheasants Nest (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and $2,195 in Tahmoor (Wollondilly rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Pheasants Nest and $1,548 in Tahmoor. 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 Pheasants Nest and Tahmoor?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,399 from Pheasants Nest and $3,206 from Tahmoor to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Pheasants Nest and $2,400 from Tahmoor.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Pheasants Nest and Tahmoor?
At 3% annual cost growth, Pheasants Nest costs a cumulative $109,388 and Tahmoor costs $102,590 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,798 in favour of Tahmoor. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Pheasants Nest and Tahmoor 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: Wollondilly rates (OLG and Wollondilly 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.