Bexley vs Kogarah: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bexley (Bayside rates (OLG) and Kogarah (Georges River rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (12.3 km and 12.8 km).
Bexley runs $1,398 a year cheaper than Kogarah, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $16,026.
Over 10 years, Bexley costs about $16,000 less to run than Kogarah — the same as paying $16,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Kogarah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bexley | Kogarah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,265 | $1,447 | -$182 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,517 | $3,633 | -$116 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,950 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,180 | $9,578 | -$1,398 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,049 | $8,331 | -$1,282 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bexley | Kogarah | 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 — Bexley vs Kogarah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bexley costs $1,398 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $16,026 in favour of Bexley.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Kogarah carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,282 per year, $7,049 from Bexley versus $8,331 from Kogarah.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bexley cumulative | Kogarah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,180 | $9,578 | $1,398 |
| Year 3 | $25,284 | $29,605 | $4,321 |
| Year 5 | $43,429 | $50,851 | $7,422 |
| Year 10 | $93,775 | $109,801 | $16,026 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bexley or Kogarah cheaper to live in?
Bexley is cheaper to run by car at $8,180 per year versus $9,578 for Kogarah, a difference of $1,398 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bexley and Kogarah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,265 in Bexley (Bayside rates (OLG) and $1,447 in Kogarah (Georges River rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bexley and $1,548 in Kogarah. 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 Bexley and Kogarah?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,517 from Bexley and $3,633 from Kogarah to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Bexley and $2,386 from Kogarah.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bexley and Kogarah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bexley costs a cumulative $93,775 and Kogarah costs $109,801 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $16,026 in favour of Bexley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bexley and Kogarah 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: Bayside rates (OLG and Georges River 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.