Doyalson vs San Remo: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Doyalson and San Remo are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 81.1 km and 78 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $119 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 →Doyalson
San Remo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Doyalson | San Remo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,426 | $3,295 | +$131 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,100 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,030 | $9,149 | -$119 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,004 | $8,254 | -$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Doyalson | San Remo | 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 — Doyalson vs San Remo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Doyalson and San Remo cost within $119 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,364, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. San Remo carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $8,004 from Doyalson versus $8,254 from San Remo.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Doyalson cumulative | San Remo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,030 | $9,149 | $119 |
| Year 3 | $27,911 | $28,279 | $368 |
| Year 5 | $47,941 | $48,573 | $632 |
| Year 10 | $103,519 | $104,883 | $1,364 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Doyalson or San Remo cheaper to live in?
Doyalson is cheaper to run by car at $9,030 per year versus $9,149 for San Remo, a difference of $119 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Doyalson and San Remo?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Doyalson (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in San Remo (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Doyalson and $1,300 in San Remo. 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 Doyalson and San Remo?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,426 from Doyalson and $3,295 from San Remo to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Doyalson and $2,400 from San Remo.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Doyalson and San Remo?
At 3% annual cost growth, Doyalson costs a cumulative $103,519 and San Remo costs $104,883 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,364 in favour of Doyalson. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Doyalson and San Remo 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: Central Coast rates (OLG and Central Coast 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.