Blakehurst vs Carss Park, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blakehurst and Carss Park are both Georges River rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 16 km and 15.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $83 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 these two cost about the same to run.
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Carss Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blakehurst | Carss Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,447 | $1,447 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,472 | $4,389 | +$83 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,350 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,817 | $9,734 | +$83 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,731 | $7,731 | - |
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 | Blakehurst | Carss Park | 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, Blakehurst vs Carss Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blakehurst and Carss Park cost within $83 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $952, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $83 per year. Blakehurst is 16 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, $7,731 and $7,731 a year, so the $83 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,447 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Carss Park by $83 a year, $4,389 against $4,472.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,350 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blakehurst cumulative | Carss Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,817 | $9,734 | $83 |
| Year 3 | $30,343 | $30,087 | $256 |
| Year 5 | $52,120 | $51,679 | $441 |
| Year 10 | $112,541 | $111,589 | $952 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blakehurst or Carss Park cheaper to live in?
Carss Park is cheaper to run by car at $9,734 per year versus $9,817 for Blakehurst, a difference of $83 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blakehurst and Carss Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,447 in Blakehurst (Georges River rates (OLG) and $1,447 in Carss Park (Georges River rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Blakehurst and $1,548 in Carss Park. 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 Blakehurst and Carss Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,472 from Blakehurst and $4,389 from Carss Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Blakehurst and $2,386 from Carss Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blakehurst and Carss Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blakehurst costs a cumulative $112,541 and Carss Park costs $111,589 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $952 in favour of Carss Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blakehurst and Carss Park suits you better?
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Sources: Georges River 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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.