Blakehurst vs Kyle Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blakehurst and Kyle Bay are both Georges River rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 16 km and 16.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $140 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. 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 →Blakehurst
Kyle Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blakehurst | Kyle Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,447 | $1,447 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,325 | $4,465 | -$140 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,270 | $10,410 | -$140 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,331 | $8,331 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Blakehurst | Kyle Bay | 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 — Blakehurst vs Kyle Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blakehurst and Kyle Bay cost within $140 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,605, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $140 per year. Kyle Bay is 16.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,331 and $8,331 a year, so the $140 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blakehurst cumulative | Kyle Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,270 | $10,410 | $140 |
| Year 3 | $31,744 | $32,176 | $432 |
| Year 5 | $54,525 | $55,268 | $743 |
| Year 10 | $117,734 | $119,339 | $1,605 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blakehurst or Kyle Bay cheaper to live in?
Blakehurst is cheaper to run by car at $10,270 per year versus $10,410 for Kyle Bay, a difference of $140 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blakehurst and Kyle Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,447 in Blakehurst (Georges River rates (OLG) and $1,447 in Kyle Bay (Georges River rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Blakehurst and $1,548 in Kyle Bay. 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 Kyle Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,325 from Blakehurst and $4,465 from Kyle Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Blakehurst and $2,386 from Kyle Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blakehurst and Kyle Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blakehurst costs a cumulative $117,734 and Kyle Bay costs $119,339 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,605 in favour of Blakehurst. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blakehurst and Kyle Bay 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.