Caringbah vs Taren Point, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Caringbah and Taren Point are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 20.1 km and 18.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $289 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, Taren Point costs about $3,300 less to run than Caringbah. That's about $6 a week.
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Taren Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caringbah | Taren Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,259 | $4,970 | +$289 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,386 | +$14 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,274 | $9,985 | +$289 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,415 | $7,401 | +$14 |
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 | Caringbah | Taren Point | 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, Caringbah vs Taren Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Caringbah and Taren Point cost within $289 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,313, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $289 per year. Caringbah is 20.1 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, $7,415 and $7,401 a year, so the $289 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,617 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Taren Point by $289 a year, $4,970 against $5,259.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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.
The catchment state school scores 8.2 in Caringbah against 7.1 in Taren Point, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caringbah cumulative | Taren Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,274 | $9,985 | $289 |
| Year 3 | $31,756 | $30,863 | $893 |
| Year 5 | $54,546 | $53,012 | $1,534 |
| Year 10 | $117,780 | $114,467 | $3,313 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caringbah or Taren Point cheaper to live in?
Taren Point is cheaper to run by car at $9,985 per year versus $10,274 for Caringbah, a difference of $289 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Caringbah and Taren Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Caringbah (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Taren Point (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Caringbah and $1,548 in Taren Point. 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 Caringbah and Taren Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,259 from Caringbah and $4,970 from Taren Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Caringbah and $2,386 from Taren Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Caringbah and Taren Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Caringbah costs a cumulative $117,780 and Taren Point costs $114,467 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,313 in favour of Taren Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caringbah and Taren Point suits you better?
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Sources: Sutherland rates (OLG and Sutherland 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.