St Marys vs Tregear: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
St Marys and Tregear are both Penrith rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 43.1 km and 41.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tregear runs $715 a year cheaper than St Marys, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,197.
Over 10 years, Tregear costs about $8,200 less to run than St Marys — the same as paying $8,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →St Marys
Tregear
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | St Marys | Tregear | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,718 | $6,753 | -$35 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $1,850 | +$750 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,470 | $11,755 | +$715 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,152 | $7,402 | +$750 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | St Marys | Tregear | 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 — St Marys vs Tregear (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tregear costs $715 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,197 in favour of Tregear.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $750 per year. St Marys carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $750 per year, $8,152 from St Marys versus $7,402 from Tregear.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | St Marys cumulative | Tregear cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,470 | $11,755 | $715 |
| Year 3 | $38,544 | $36,334 | $2,210 |
| Year 5 | $66,205 | $62,409 | $3,796 |
| Year 10 | $142,955 | $134,758 | $8,197 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is St Marys or Tregear cheaper to live in?
Tregear is cheaper to run by car at $11,755 per year versus $12,470 for St Marys, a difference of $715 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in St Marys and Tregear?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,604 in St Marys (Penrith rates (OLG) and $1,604 in Tregear (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in St Marys and $1,548 in Tregear. 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 St Marys and Tregear?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,718 from St Marys and $6,753 from Tregear to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from St Marys and $2,400 from Tregear.
What is the 10-year cost difference between St Marys and Tregear?
At 3% annual cost growth, St Marys costs a cumulative $142,955 and Tregear costs $134,758 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,197 in favour of Tregear. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of St Marys and Tregear 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: Penrith rates (OLG and Penrith 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.