Picton vs Razorback: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Picton and Razorback are both Wollondilly rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 64.4 km and 61.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Picton runs $505 a year cheaper than Razorback, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,789.
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 →Picton
Razorback
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Picton | Razorback | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,195 | $2,195 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,389 | $4,894 | -$505 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,132 | $10,637 | -$505 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,143 | $8,143 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Picton | Razorback | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Picton vs Razorback (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Picton costs $505 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,789 in favour of Picton.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $505 per year. Picton is 64.4 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, $8,143 and $8,143 a year, so the $505 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,195 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Picton by $505 a year, $4,389 against $4,894.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,000 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 | Picton cumulative | Razorback cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,132 | $10,637 | $505 |
| Year 3 | $31,317 | $32,878 | $1,561 |
| Year 5 | $53,792 | $56,473 | $2,681 |
| Year 10 | $116,152 | $121,941 | $5,789 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Picton or Razorback cheaper to live in?
Picton is cheaper to run by car at $10,132 per year versus $10,637 for Razorback, a difference of $505 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Picton and Razorback?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,195 in Picton (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and $2,195 in Razorback (Wollondilly rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Picton and $1,548 in Razorback. 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 Picton and Razorback?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,389 from Picton and $4,894 from Razorback to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Picton and $2,400 from Razorback.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Picton and Razorback?
At 3% annual cost growth, Picton costs a cumulative $116,152 and Razorback costs $121,941 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,789 in favour of Picton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Picton and Razorback 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.