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52.6 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Emu Plains, NSW 2750

Living in a house in Emu Plains costs about $11,540 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Emu Plains sits 52.6 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs reach $11,870, with the $2,100 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 52.6km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $3,688 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Penrith Council rates 2026-27, ATO 88c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights
Running costs sit near the Penrith average, cheaper than 88% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $6,088, roughly 53% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $3,688 a year, a significant saving at this distance.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$11,540
Driving · per year
$962/month
Unit annual cost
$11,870
Incl. body corporate
$989/month
House vs unit difference
+$330
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Penrith rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,604
Water & sewerage
Sydney Water 2026-27
$1,548
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 52.6km from CBD · 192 days
$6,088
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Medium · fire Low
$2,300
Total annual running cost
$11,540
($962/month)
Near Penrith average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 7.4/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 88% of Penrith suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
House
$2,420/yr
6,060 kWh
Unit
$1,920/yr
4,545 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Emu Plains's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Emu Plains with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Emu Plains to the CBD?
Public transport saves Emu Plains residents $3,688 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,088 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Emu Plains?
Emu Plains falls under Penrith Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,604 per year for an owner-occupied house, based on OLG data uplifted by the council's IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,604 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Emu Plains?
Running a unit in Emu Plains costs approximately $11,870 per year by car or $8,182 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,604, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $2,100, and contents insurance of $530. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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Data sources: Council rates: Penrith rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Sydney Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.