Coogee vs South Coogee, 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 South Coogee are both Randwick rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 7.2 km and 8.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $39 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.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Sydney suburbs that fit your budget →Coogee
South Coogee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coogee | South Coogee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,723 | $1,723 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,289 | $2,600 | -$311 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,500 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,410 | $7,371 | +$39 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,041 | $6,691 | +$350 |
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 | Coogee | South Coogee | 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 South Coogee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coogee and South Coogee cost within $39 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $447, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year. Coogee carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $7,041 from Coogee versus $6,691 from South Coogee.
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 Coogee by $311 a year, $2,289 against $2,600.
- Building insurance favours South Coogee by $350 a year, $1,500 against $1,850.
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 South Coogee, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.9 in Coogee against 8.4 in South Coogee, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coogee cumulative | South Coogee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,410 | $7,371 | $39 |
| Year 3 | $22,904 | $22,783 | $121 |
| Year 5 | $39,341 | $39,134 | $207 |
| Year 10 | $84,947 | $84,500 | $447 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coogee or South Coogee cheaper to live in?
South Coogee is cheaper to run by car at $7,371 per year versus $7,410 for Coogee, a difference of $39 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coogee and South Coogee?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,723 in Coogee (Randwick rates (OLG) and $1,723 in South Coogee (Randwick rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Coogee and $1,548 in South Coogee. 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 South Coogee?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,289 from Coogee and $2,600 from South Coogee to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Coogee and $1,920 from South Coogee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coogee and South Coogee?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coogee costs a cumulative $84,947 and South Coogee costs $84,500 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $447 in favour of South Coogee. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coogee and South Coogee suits you better?
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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.