Centennial Park vs Queens 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 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 $161 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, Queens Park costs about $1,800 less to run than Centennial Park. That's about $4 a week.
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Queens Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Centennial Park | Queens Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,723 | $1,344 | +$379 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,328 | $1,546 | -$218 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,099 | $5,938 | +$161 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,691 | $6,312 | +$379 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Centennial Park | Queens 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 Queens Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Centennial Park and Queens Park cost within $161 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,845, 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, $6,691 from Centennial Park versus $6,312 from Queens Park.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Queens Park by $379 a year, $1,344 against $1,723.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Centennial Park by $218 a year, $1,328 against $1,546.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,500 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 | Queens Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,099 | $5,938 | $161 |
| Year 3 | $18,851 | $18,354 | $497 |
| Year 5 | $32,380 | $31,526 | $854 |
| Year 10 | $69,918 | $68,073 | $1,845 |
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 $5,938 per year versus $6,099 for Centennial Park, a difference of $161 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 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 $1,328 from Centennial Park and $1,546 from Queens Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $69,918 and Queens Park costs $68,073 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,845 in favour of Queens Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Centennial Park and Queens Park suits you better?
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Sources: Randwick rates (OLG and Waverley rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.