Picton vs Razorback: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $489 a year cheaper than Razorback, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,606.
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) | $4,244 | $4,733 | -$489 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,987 | $10,476 | -$489 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,143 | $8,143 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Picton | Razorback | 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 — Picton vs Razorback (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Picton costs $489 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,606 in favour of Picton.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $489 per year. Picton is 64.4 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,143 and $8,143 a year, so the $489 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Picton cumulative | Razorback cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,987 | $10,476 | $489 |
| Year 3 | $30,869 | $32,380 | $1,511 |
| Year 5 | $53,022 | $55,619 | $2,597 |
| Year 10 | $114,490 | $120,096 | $5,606 |
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 $9,987 per year versus $10,476 for Razorback, a difference of $489 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $4,244 from Picton and $4,733 from Razorback to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $114,490 and Razorback costs $120,096 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,606 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.