Caringbah vs Taren Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $280 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 →Caringbah
Taren Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caringbah | Taren Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,086 | $4,806 | +$280 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,386 | +$14 |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,201 | $10,921 | +$280 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,515 | $8,501 | +$14 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Caringbah | Taren Point | 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 — Caringbah vs Taren Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Caringbah and Taren Point cost within $280 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,210, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $280 per year. Caringbah is 20.1 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, $8,515 and $8,501 a year, so the $280 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caringbah cumulative | Taren Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,201 | $10,921 | $280 |
| Year 3 | $34,621 | $33,756 | $865 |
| Year 5 | $59,468 | $57,981 | $1,487 |
| Year 10 | $128,407 | $125,197 | $3,210 |
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 $10,921 per year versus $11,201 for Caringbah, a difference of $280 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $5,086 from Caringbah and $4,806 from Taren Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $128,407 and Taren Point costs $125,197 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,210 in favour of Taren Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caringbah and Taren Point 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: Sutherland rates (OLG and Sutherland 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.