Audley vs Grays Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Audley and Grays Point are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 26 km and 23.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $111 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 →Audley
Grays Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Audley | Grays Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,132 | $5,843 | +$289 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,950 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,300 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,847 | $11,958 | -$111 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,115 | $8,515 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Audley | Grays Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Audley vs Grays Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Audley and Grays Point cost within $111 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,272, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Grays Point carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,115 from Audley versus $8,515 from Grays Point.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,617 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Grays Point by $289 a year, $5,843 against $6,132.
- Building insurance favours Audley by $400 a year, $2,550 against $2,950.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Grays Point against low in Audley, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Audley against low in Grays Point, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Audley cumulative | Grays Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,847 | $11,958 | $111 |
| Year 3 | $36,618 | $36,961 | $343 |
| Year 5 | $62,897 | $63,487 | $590 |
| Year 10 | $135,813 | $137,085 | $1,272 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Audley or Grays Point cheaper to live in?
Audley is cheaper to run by car at $11,847 per year versus $11,958 for Grays Point, a difference of $111 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Audley and Grays Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Audley (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Grays Point (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Audley and $1,548 in Grays Point. 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 Grays Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,132 from Audley and $5,843 from Grays Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Audley and $2,400 from Grays Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Audley and Grays Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Audley costs a cumulative $135,813 and Grays Point costs $137,085 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,272 in favour of Audley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Audley and Grays Point 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 Sutherland rates (OLG 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.