Bexley vs Kogarah: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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 $1,402 a year cheaper than Kogarah, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $16,073.
Over 10 years, Bexley costs about $16,100 less to run than Kogarah — the same as paying $16,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Bexley
Kogarah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bexley | Kogarah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,265 | $1,447 | -$182 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,637 | $3,757 | -$120 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,950 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,300 | $9,702 | -$1,402 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,049 | $8,331 | -$1,282 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bexley | Kogarah | 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 — Bexley vs Kogarah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bexley costs $1,402 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $16,073 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.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Bexley by $182 a year, $1,265 against $1,447.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bexley by $120 a year, $3,637 against $3,757.
- Building insurance favours Bexley by $1,100 a year, $1,850 against $2,950.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Flood risk is rated high in Kogarah against low in Bexley, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 8.2 in Kogarah against 6.1 in Bexley, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bexley cumulative | Kogarah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,300 | $9,702 | $1,402 |
| Year 3 | $25,654 | $29,988 | $4,334 |
| Year 5 | $44,066 | $51,509 | $7,443 |
| Year 10 | $95,150 | $111,223 | $16,073 |
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 $8,300 per year versus $9,702 for Kogarah, a difference of $1,402 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $3,637 from Bexley and $3,757 from Kogarah to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $95,150 and Kogarah costs $111,223 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $16,073 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.
Related comparisons
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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.