Beaumont vs Red Rocks: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Beaumont and Red Rocks are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 117.6 km and 118.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Beaumont
Red Rocks
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Beaumont | Red Rocks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,847 | $22,847 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,647 | $7,647 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Beaumont | Red Rocks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Beaumont vs Red Rocks (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Beaumont and Red Rocks cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,647 and $7,647 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Beaumont cumulative | Red Rocks cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,847 | $22,847 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $70,618 | $70,618 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $121,298 | $121,298 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $261,915 | $261,915 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beaumont or Red Rocks cheaper to live in?
Beaumont is cheaper to run by car at $22,847 per year versus $22,847 for Red Rocks, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Beaumont and Red Rocks?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Beaumont (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Red Rocks (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Beaumont and $1,300 in Red Rocks. 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 Beaumont and Red Rocks?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Beaumont and $17,600 from Red Rocks to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Beaumont and $2,400 from Red Rocks.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Beaumont and Red Rocks?
At 3% annual cost growth, Beaumont costs a cumulative $261,915 and Red Rocks costs $261,915 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Beaumont. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Beaumont and Red Rocks 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: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Shoalhaven 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.