Cecil Park vs Kemps Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cecil Park and Kemps Creek are both Liverpool rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 36.5 km and 39.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $248 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 →Cecil Park
Kemps Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cecil Park | Kemps Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,936 | $6,988 | -$52 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $1,850 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,010 | $11,762 | +$248 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,474 | $7,174 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cecil Park | Kemps Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Cecil Park vs Kemps Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cecil Park and Kemps Creek cost within $248 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,843, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,474 from Cecil Park versus $7,174 from Kemps Creek.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cecil Park by $52 a year, $6,936 against $6,988.
- Building insurance favours Kemps Creek by $300 a year, $1,850 against $2,150.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Cecil Park against low in Kemps Creek, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cecil Park cumulative | Kemps Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,010 | $11,762 | $248 |
| Year 3 | $37,122 | $36,355 | $767 |
| Year 5 | $63,763 | $62,446 | $1,317 |
| Year 10 | $137,681 | $134,838 | $2,843 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cecil Park or Kemps Creek cheaper to live in?
Kemps Creek is cheaper to run by car at $11,762 per year versus $12,010 for Cecil Park, a difference of $248 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cecil Park and Kemps Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Cecil Park (Liverpool rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Kemps Creek (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cecil Park and $1,548 in Kemps Creek. 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 Cecil Park and Kemps Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,936 from Cecil Park and $6,988 from Kemps Creek to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cecil Park and $2,400 from Kemps Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cecil Park and Kemps Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cecil Park costs a cumulative $137,681 and Kemps Creek costs $134,838 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,843 in favour of Kemps Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cecil Park and Kemps Creek 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: Liverpool rates (OLG and Liverpool rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.