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 $289 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, Grays Point costs about $3,300 less to run than Audley. That's about $6 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Sydney suburbs that fit your budget →Audley
Grays Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Audley | Grays Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,132 | $5,843 | +$289 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,300 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,147 | $10,858 | +$289 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,415 | $7,415 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; 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 $289 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,313, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $289 per year. Audley is 26 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, $7,415 and $7,415 a year, so the $289 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 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.
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 | $11,147 | $10,858 | $289 |
| Year 3 | $34,454 | $33,561 | $893 |
| Year 5 | $59,181 | $57,647 | $1,534 |
| Year 10 | $127,788 | $124,475 | $3,313 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Audley or Grays Point cheaper to live in?
Grays Point is cheaper to run by car at $10,858 per year versus $11,147 for Audley, a difference of $289 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 $127,788 and Grays Point costs $124,475 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,313 in favour of Grays Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Audley and Grays Point suits you better?
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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.