Carlton vs Kogarah: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carlton and Kogarah are both Georges River rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 14 km and 12.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Carlton runs $380 a year cheaper than Kogarah, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,356.
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 →Carlton
Kogarah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carlton | Kogarah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,447 | $1,447 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,903 | $3,633 | +$270 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,198 | $9,578 | -$380 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,681 | $8,331 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Carlton | Kogarah | 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 — Carlton vs Kogarah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carlton costs $380 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,356 in favour of Carlton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Kogarah carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,681 from Carlton versus $8,331 from Kogarah.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carlton cumulative | Kogarah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,198 | $9,578 | $380 |
| Year 3 | $28,430 | $29,605 | $1,175 |
| Year 5 | $48,833 | $50,851 | $2,018 |
| Year 10 | $105,445 | $109,801 | $4,356 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carlton or Kogarah cheaper to live in?
Carlton is cheaper to run by car at $9,198 per year versus $9,578 for Kogarah, a difference of $380 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carlton and Kogarah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,447 in Carlton (Georges River rates (OLG) and $1,447 in Kogarah (Georges River rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Carlton and $1,548 in Kogarah. 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 Carlton and Kogarah?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,903 from Carlton and $3,633 from Kogarah to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Carlton and $2,386 from Kogarah.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carlton and Kogarah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carlton costs a cumulative $105,445 and Kogarah costs $109,801 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,356 in favour of Carlton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carlton and Kogarah 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.