Centennial Park vs Moore Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Centennial Park (Randwick rates (OLG) and Moore Park (Sydney rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (4 km and 3.2 km).
Moore Park runs $1,054 a year cheaper than Centennial Park, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,083.
Over 10 years, Moore Park costs about $12,100 less to run than Centennial Park — the same as paying $12,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Centennial Park
Moore Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Centennial Park | Moore Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,723 | $924 | +$799 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,328 | $1,073 | +$255 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,449 | $5,395 | +$1,054 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,041 | $6,242 | +$799 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Centennial Park | Moore Park | 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 — Centennial Park vs Moore Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Moore Park costs $1,054 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,083 in favour of Moore Park.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $799 per year.
On public transport the gap is $799 per year, $7,041 from Centennial Park versus $6,242 from Moore Park.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Moore Park by $799 a year, $924 against $1,723.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Moore Park by $255 a year, $1,073 against $1,328.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Centennial Park cumulative | Moore Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,449 | $5,395 | $1,054 |
| Year 3 | $19,933 | $16,675 | $3,258 |
| Year 5 | $34,239 | $28,643 | $5,596 |
| Year 10 | $73,931 | $61,848 | $12,083 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Centennial Park or Moore Park cheaper to live in?
Moore Park is cheaper to run by car at $5,395 per year versus $6,449 for Centennial Park, a difference of $1,054 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Centennial Park and Moore Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,723 in Centennial Park (Randwick rates (OLG) and $924 in Moore Park (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Centennial Park and $1,548 in Moore Park. 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 Centennial Park and Moore Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,328 from Centennial Park and $1,073 from Moore Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Centennial Park and $1,920 from Moore Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Centennial Park and Moore Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Centennial Park costs a cumulative $73,931 and Moore Park costs $61,848 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,083 in favour of Moore Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Centennial Park and Moore Park 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: Randwick rates (OLG and Sydney 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.