Carss Park vs Kogarah 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
Carss Park and Kogarah Bay are both Georges River rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 15.6 km and 14.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $147 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 →Carss Park
Kogarah Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carss Park | Kogarah Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,447 | $1,447 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,244 | $4,097 | +$147 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,189 | $10,042 | +$147 |
| 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 | Carss Park | Kogarah 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 — Carss Park vs Kogarah Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carss Park and Kogarah Bay cost within $147 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,685, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $147 per year. Carss Park is 15.6 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 $147 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carss Park cumulative | Kogarah Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,189 | $10,042 | $147 |
| Year 3 | $31,493 | $31,039 | $454 |
| Year 5 | $54,095 | $53,314 | $781 |
| Year 10 | $116,805 | $115,120 | $1,685 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carss Park or Kogarah Bay cheaper to live in?
Kogarah Bay is cheaper to run by car at $10,042 per year versus $10,189 for Carss Park, a difference of $147 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carss Park and Kogarah Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,447 in Carss Park (Georges River rates (OLG) and $1,447 in Kogarah Bay (Georges River rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Carss Park and $1,548 in Kogarah 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 Carss Park and Kogarah Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,244 from Carss Park and $4,097 from Kogarah Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Carss Park and $2,386 from Kogarah Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carss Park and Kogarah Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carss Park costs a cumulative $116,805 and Kogarah Bay costs $115,120 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,685 in favour of Kogarah Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carss Park and Kogarah 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.
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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.