Picnic Point vs Pleasure Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Picnic Point (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and Pleasure Point (Liverpool rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (21.9 km and 23.6 km).
The two sit within $255 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 →Picnic Point
Pleasure Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Picnic Point | Pleasure Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,376 | +$1 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,558 | $5,814 | -$256 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $3,250 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,733 | $11,988 | -$255 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,575 | $8,574 | +$1 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Picnic Point | Pleasure Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,720 | -$378 |
| Unit | $1,909 | $2,209 | -$300 |
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 — Picnic Point vs Pleasure Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Picnic Point and Pleasure Point cost within $255 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,923, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $256 per year. Pleasure Point is 23.6 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, $8,575 and $8,574 a year, so the $255 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Pleasure Point by $1 a year, $1,376 against $1,377.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Picnic Point by $256 a year, $5,558 against $5,814.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,250 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
The catchment state school scores 8.5 in Picnic Point against 7.4 in Pleasure Point, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Picnic Point cumulative | Pleasure Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,733 | $11,988 | $255 |
| Year 3 | $36,266 | $37,054 | $788 |
| Year 5 | $62,292 | $63,646 | $1,354 |
| Year 10 | $134,506 | $137,429 | $2,923 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Picnic Point or Pleasure Point cheaper to live in?
Picnic Point is cheaper to run by car at $11,733 per year versus $11,988 for Pleasure Point, a difference of $255 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Picnic Point and Pleasure Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Picnic Point (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Pleasure Point (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Picnic Point and $1,548 in Pleasure Point. 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 Picnic Point and Pleasure Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,558 from Picnic Point and $5,814 from Pleasure Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Picnic Point and $2,400 from Pleasure Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Picnic Point and Pleasure Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Picnic Point costs a cumulative $134,506 and Pleasure Point costs $137,429 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,923 in favour of Picnic Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Picnic Point and Pleasure Point 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: Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG and Liverpool 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.