Centennial Park vs Queens Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Centennial Park (Randwick rates (OLG) and Queens Park (Waverley rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (4 km and 4.7 km).
The two sit within $168 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 →Centennial Park
Queens Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Centennial Park | Queens Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,723 | $1,344 | +$379 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,284 | $1,495 | -$211 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,405 | $6,237 | +$168 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,041 | $6,662 | +$379 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Centennial Park | Queens Park | 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 — Centennial Park vs Queens Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Centennial Park and Queens Park cost within $168 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,926, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $379 per year.
On public transport the gap is $379 per year, $7,041 from Centennial Park versus $6,662 from Queens Park.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Centennial Park cumulative | Queens Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,405 | $6,237 | $168 |
| Year 3 | $19,797 | $19,278 | $519 |
| Year 5 | $34,005 | $33,113 | $892 |
| Year 10 | $73,426 | $71,500 | $1,926 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Centennial Park or Queens Park cheaper to live in?
Queens Park is cheaper to run by car at $6,237 per year versus $6,405 for Centennial Park, a difference of $168 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Centennial Park and Queens Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,723 in Centennial Park (Randwick rates (OLG) and $1,344 in Queens Park (Waverley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Centennial Park and $1,548 in Queens 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 Queens Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,284 from Centennial Park and $1,495 from Queens Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Centennial Park and $1,920 from Queens Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Centennial Park and Queens Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Centennial Park costs a cumulative $73,426 and Queens Park costs $71,500 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,926 in favour of Queens Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Centennial Park and Queens 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 Waverley 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.