Coogee vs Randwick: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coogee and Randwick are both Randwick rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 7.2 km and 6.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Randwick runs $740 a year cheaper than Coogee, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,483.
Over 10 years, Randwick costs about $8,500 less to run than Coogee — the same as paying $8,500 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 →Coogee
Randwick
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coogee | Randwick | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,723 | $1,723 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,289 | $1,999 | +$290 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,860 | $7,120 | +$740 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,491 | $7,041 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Coogee | Randwick | 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 — Coogee vs Randwick (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Randwick costs $740 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,483 in favour of Randwick.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Coogee carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,491 from Coogee versus $7,041 from Randwick.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,723 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Randwick by $290 a year, $1,999 against $2,289.
- Building insurance favours Randwick by $450 a year, $1,850 against $2,300.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Coogee against low in Randwick, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coogee cumulative | Randwick cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,860 | $7,120 | $740 |
| Year 3 | $24,294 | $22,007 | $2,287 |
| Year 5 | $41,730 | $37,801 | $3,929 |
| Year 10 | $90,106 | $81,623 | $8,483 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coogee or Randwick cheaper to live in?
Randwick is cheaper to run by car at $7,120 per year versus $7,860 for Coogee, a difference of $740 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coogee and Randwick?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,723 in Coogee (Randwick rates (OLG) and $1,723 in Randwick (Randwick rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Coogee and $1,548 in Randwick. 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 Coogee and Randwick?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,289 from Coogee and $1,999 from Randwick to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Coogee and $1,920 from Randwick.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coogee and Randwick?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coogee costs a cumulative $90,106 and Randwick costs $81,623 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,483 in favour of Randwick. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coogee and Randwick 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 Randwick 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.