Stanhope Gardens vs The Ponds, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Stanhope Gardens and The Ponds are both Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for suburbs, sitting 31.4 km and 33 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $108 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, Stanhope Gardens costs about $1,200 less to run than The Ponds. That's about $2 a week.
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The Ponds
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Stanhope Gardens | The Ponds | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,360 | $1,360 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,666 | $6,774 | -$108 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,074 | $11,182 | -$108 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,808 | $6,808 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Stanhope Gardens | The Ponds | 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, Stanhope Gardens vs The Ponds (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Stanhope Gardens and The Ponds cost within $108 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,238, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $108 per year. The Ponds is 33 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, $6,808 and $6,808 a year, so the $108 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,360 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Stanhope Gardens by $108 a year, $6,666 against $6,774.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,500 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 | Stanhope Gardens cumulative | The Ponds cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,074 | $11,182 | $108 |
| Year 3 | $34,229 | $34,562 | $333 |
| Year 5 | $58,793 | $59,367 | $574 |
| Year 10 | $126,951 | $128,189 | $1,238 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stanhope Gardens or The Ponds cheaper to live in?
Stanhope Gardens is cheaper to run by car at $11,074 per year versus $11,182 for The Ponds, a difference of $108 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Stanhope Gardens and The Ponds?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,360 in Stanhope Gardens (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for) and $1,360 in The Ponds (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Stanhope Gardens and $1,548 in The Ponds. 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 Stanhope Gardens and The Ponds?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,666 from Stanhope Gardens and $6,774 from The Ponds to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Stanhope Gardens and $2,400 from The Ponds.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Stanhope Gardens and The Ponds?
At 3% annual cost growth, Stanhope Gardens costs a cumulative $126,951 and The Ponds costs $128,189 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,238 in favour of Stanhope Gardens. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Stanhope Gardens and The Ponds suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for and Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.