Audley vs Goarra: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Audley and Goarra are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 26 km and 29 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Audley runs $317 a year cheaper than Goarra, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,634.
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 →Audley
Goarra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Audley | Goarra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,930 | $6,247 | -$317 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,645 | $11,962 | -$317 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,115 | $8,115 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Audley | Goarra | 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 — Audley vs Goarra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Audley costs $317 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,634 in favour of Audley.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $317 per year. Goarra is 29 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, $8,115 and $8,115 a year, so the $317 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Audley cumulative | Goarra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,645 | $11,962 | $317 |
| Year 3 | $35,994 | $36,973 | $979 |
| Year 5 | $61,825 | $63,508 | $1,683 |
| Year 10 | $133,497 | $137,131 | $3,634 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Audley or Goarra cheaper to live in?
Audley is cheaper to run by car at $11,645 per year versus $11,962 for Goarra, a difference of $317 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Audley and Goarra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Audley (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Goarra (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Audley and $1,548 in Goarra. 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 Audley and Goarra?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,930 from Audley and $6,247 from Goarra to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Audley and $2,400 from Goarra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Audley and Goarra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Audley costs a cumulative $133,497 and Goarra costs $137,131 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,634 in favour of Audley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Audley and Goarra 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: Sutherland rates (OLG and Sutherland 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.