Picnic Point vs Revesby Heights: 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 and Revesby Heights are both Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 21.9 km and 20.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $180 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
Revesby Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Picnic Point | Revesby Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,558 | $5,378 | +$180 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $3,250 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,733 | $11,553 | +$180 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,575 | $8,575 | - |
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 | Revesby Heights | 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 — Picnic Point vs Revesby Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Picnic Point and Revesby Heights cost within $180 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,064, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $180 per year. Picnic Point is 21.9 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 $8,575 a year, so the $180 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Revesby Heights by $180 a year, $5,378 against $5,558.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,250 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 | Picnic Point cumulative | Revesby Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,733 | $11,553 | $180 |
| Year 3 | $36,266 | $35,709 | $557 |
| Year 5 | $62,292 | $61,336 | $956 |
| Year 10 | $134,506 | $132,442 | $2,064 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Picnic Point or Revesby Heights cheaper to live in?
Revesby Heights is cheaper to run by car at $11,553 per year versus $11,733 for Picnic Point, a difference of $180 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 Revesby Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Picnic Point (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Revesby Heights (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Picnic Point and $1,548 in Revesby Heights. 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 Revesby Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,558 from Picnic Point and $5,378 from Revesby Heights to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Picnic Point and $2,400 from Revesby Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Picnic Point and Revesby Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Picnic Point costs a cumulative $134,506 and Revesby Heights costs $132,442 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,064 in favour of Revesby Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Picnic Point and Revesby Heights 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 Canterbury-Bankstown 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.