Blakehurst vs South Hurstville: 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 South Hurstville are both Georges River rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 16 km and 15.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
South Hurstville runs $1,223 a year cheaper than Blakehurst, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,020.
Over 10 years, South Hurstville costs about $14,000 less to run than Blakehurst — the same as paying $14,000 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 →Blakehurst
South Hurstville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blakehurst | South Hurstville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,447 | $1,447 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,325 | $4,202 | +$123 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $1,850 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,270 | $9,047 | +$1,223 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,331 | $7,231 | +$1,100 |
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 | South Hurstville | 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 South Hurstville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
South Hurstville costs $1,223 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,020 in favour of South Hurstville.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Blakehurst carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $8,331 from Blakehurst versus $7,231 from South Hurstville.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blakehurst cumulative | South Hurstville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,270 | $9,047 | $1,223 |
| Year 3 | $31,744 | $27,963 | $3,781 |
| Year 5 | $54,525 | $48,032 | $6,493 |
| Year 10 | $117,734 | $103,714 | $14,020 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blakehurst or South Hurstville cheaper to live in?
South Hurstville is cheaper to run by car at $9,047 per year versus $10,270 for Blakehurst, a difference of $1,223 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blakehurst and South Hurstville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,447 in Blakehurst (Georges River rates (OLG) and $1,447 in South Hurstville (Georges River rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Blakehurst and $1,548 in South Hurstville. 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 South Hurstville?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,325 from Blakehurst and $4,202 from South Hurstville to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Blakehurst and $2,386 from South Hurstville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blakehurst and South Hurstville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blakehurst costs a cumulative $117,734 and South Hurstville costs $103,714 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,020 in favour of South Hurstville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blakehurst and South Hurstville 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.