Doyalson vs San Remo, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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 $14 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 →Doyalson
San Remo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Doyalson | San Remo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,543 | $3,407 | +$136 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $2,000 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,147 | $8,161 | -$14 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,004 | $7,154 | -$150 |
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 | Doyalson | San Remo | 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, Doyalson vs San Remo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Doyalson and San Remo cost within $14 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $161, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. San Remo carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,004 and $7,154 a year, so the $14 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,454 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours San Remo by $136 a year, $3,407 against $3,543.
- Building insurance favours Doyalson by $150 a year, $1,850 against $2,000.
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 high in San Remo against medium in Doyalson, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Doyalson against medium in San Remo, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Doyalson cumulative | San Remo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,147 | $8,161 | $14 |
| Year 3 | $25,182 | $25,225 | $43 |
| Year 5 | $43,254 | $43,328 | $74 |
| Year 10 | $93,396 | $93,557 | $161 |
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 $8,147 per year versus $8,161 for San Remo, a difference of $14 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $3,543 from Doyalson and $3,407 from San Remo to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $93,396 and San Remo costs $93,557 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $161 in favour of Doyalson. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Doyalson and San Remo 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: 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.