Audley vs Loftus: 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 Loftus are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 26 km and 24.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Loftus runs $539 a year cheaper than Audley, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,179.
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
Loftus
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Audley | Loftus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,132 | $5,993 | +$139 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,150 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,300 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,847 | $11,308 | +$539 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,115 | $7,715 | +$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 | Loftus | 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 Loftus (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Loftus costs $539 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,179 in favour of Loftus.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,115 from Audley versus $7,715 from Loftus.
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 Loftus by $139 a year, $5,993 against $6,132.
- Building insurance favours Loftus by $400 a year, $2,150 against $2,550.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Audley against medium in Loftus, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Audley cumulative | Loftus cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,847 | $11,308 | $539 |
| Year 3 | $36,618 | $34,952 | $1,666 |
| Year 5 | $62,897 | $60,036 | $2,861 |
| Year 10 | $135,813 | $129,634 | $6,179 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Audley or Loftus cheaper to live in?
Loftus is cheaper to run by car at $11,308 per year versus $11,847 for Audley, a difference of $539 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Audley and Loftus?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Audley (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Loftus (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Audley and $1,548 in Loftus. 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 Loftus?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,132 from Audley and $5,993 from Loftus to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Audley and $2,400 from Loftus.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Audley and Loftus?
At 3% annual cost growth, Audley costs a cumulative $135,813 and Loftus costs $129,634 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,179 in favour of Loftus. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Audley and Loftus 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.