Curramore vs Jamberoo: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Curramore and Jamberoo are both Kiama rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 94.4 km and 96.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Curramore runs $935 a year cheaper than Jamberoo, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,719.
Over 10 years, Curramore costs about $10,700 less to run than Jamberoo — the same as paying $10,700 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 →Curramore
Jamberoo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Curramore | Jamberoo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,959 | $1,959 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,987 | $4,072 | -$85 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,850 | -$850 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,494 | $10,429 | -$935 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,907 | $8,757 | -$850 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Curramore | Jamberoo | 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 — Curramore vs Jamberoo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Curramore costs $935 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,719 in favour of Curramore.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $850 per year. Jamberoo carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $850 per year, $7,907 from Curramore versus $8,757 from Jamberoo.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Curramore cumulative | Jamberoo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,494 | $10,429 | $935 |
| Year 3 | $29,345 | $32,235 | $2,890 |
| Year 5 | $50,405 | $55,369 | $4,964 |
| Year 10 | $108,838 | $119,557 | $10,719 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Curramore or Jamberoo cheaper to live in?
Curramore is cheaper to run by car at $9,494 per year versus $10,429 for Jamberoo, a difference of $935 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Curramore and Jamberoo?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,959 in Curramore (Kiama rates (OLG) and $1,959 in Jamberoo (Kiama rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Curramore and $1,548 in Jamberoo. 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 Curramore and Jamberoo?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,987 from Curramore and $4,072 from Jamberoo to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Curramore and $2,400 from Jamberoo.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Curramore and Jamberoo?
At 3% annual cost growth, Curramore costs a cumulative $108,838 and Jamberoo costs $119,557 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,719 in favour of Curramore. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Curramore and Jamberoo 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: Kiama rates (OLG and Kiama 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.