Alfords Point vs Lugarno: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Alfords Point (Sutherland rates (OLG) and Lugarno (Georges River rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (21.1 km and 19.3 km).
Lugarno runs $472 a year cheaper than Alfords Point, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,411.
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 →Alfords Point
Lugarno
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alfords Point | Lugarno | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,447 | +$170 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,250 | $4,948 | +$302 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,386 | +$14 |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $3,250 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,665 | $11,193 | +$472 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,815 | $8,631 | +$184 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Alfords Point | Lugarno | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Alfords Point vs Lugarno (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lugarno costs $472 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,411 in favour of Lugarno.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $302 per year. Alfords Point is 21.1 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, $8,815 and $8,631 a year, so the $472 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alfords Point cumulative | Lugarno cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,665 | $11,193 | $472 |
| Year 3 | $36,055 | $34,596 | $1,459 |
| Year 5 | $61,931 | $59,425 | $2,506 |
| Year 10 | $133,726 | $128,315 | $5,411 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alfords Point or Lugarno cheaper to live in?
Lugarno is cheaper to run by car at $11,193 per year versus $11,665 for Alfords Point, a difference of $472 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alfords Point and Lugarno?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Alfords Point (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,447 in Lugarno (Georges River rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Alfords Point and $1,548 in Lugarno. 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 Alfords Point and Lugarno?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,250 from Alfords Point and $4,948 from Lugarno to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Alfords Point and $2,386 from Lugarno.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alfords Point and Lugarno?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alfords Point costs a cumulative $133,726 and Lugarno costs $128,315 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,411 in favour of Lugarno. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alfords Point and Lugarno 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.
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Sources: Sutherland rates (OLG and Georges River 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.