Tallawong 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
Tallawong and The Ponds are both Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for suburbs, sitting 35.5 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 $126 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 →Tallawong
The Ponds
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Tallawong | The Ponds | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,360 | $1,360 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,900 | $6,774 | +$126 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,658 | $11,532 | +$126 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,158 | $7,158 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Tallawong | 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 — Tallawong vs The Ponds (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tallawong and The Ponds cost within $126 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,445, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $126 per year. Tallawong is 35.5 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, $7,158 and $7,158 a year, so the $126 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 The Ponds by $126 a year, $6,774 against $6,900.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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.
The catchment state school scores 9.1 in The Ponds against 8.1 in Tallawong, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Tallawong cumulative | The Ponds cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,658 | $11,532 | $126 |
| Year 3 | $36,034 | $35,644 | $390 |
| Year 5 | $61,894 | $61,225 | $669 |
| Year 10 | $133,646 | $132,201 | $1,445 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tallawong or The Ponds cheaper to live in?
The Ponds is cheaper to run by car at $11,532 per year versus $11,658 for Tallawong, a difference of $126 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Tallawong and The Ponds?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,360 in Tallawong (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 Tallawong 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 Tallawong and The Ponds?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,900 from Tallawong and $6,774 from The Ponds to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Tallawong and $2,400 from The Ponds.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Tallawong and The Ponds?
At 3% annual cost growth, Tallawong costs a cumulative $133,646 and The Ponds costs $132,201 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,445 in favour of The Ponds. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Tallawong and The Ponds 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.