Drummoyne vs Russell Lea: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Drummoyne and Russell Lea are both Canada Bay rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 5.6 km and 6.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Russell Lea runs $392 a year cheaper than Drummoyne, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,494.
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 →Drummoyne
Russell Lea
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Drummoyne | Russell Lea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,268 | $1,268 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,760 | $2,018 | -$258 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,300 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,526 | $7,134 | +$392 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,686 | $7,036 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Drummoyne | Russell Lea | 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 — Drummoyne vs Russell Lea (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Russell Lea costs $392 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,494 in favour of Russell Lea.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Drummoyne carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,686 from Drummoyne versus $7,036 from Russell Lea.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Drummoyne cumulative | Russell Lea cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,526 | $7,134 | $392 |
| Year 3 | $23,262 | $22,050 | $1,212 |
| Year 5 | $39,957 | $37,875 | $2,082 |
| Year 10 | $86,277 | $81,783 | $4,494 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Drummoyne or Russell Lea cheaper to live in?
Russell Lea is cheaper to run by car at $7,134 per year versus $7,526 for Drummoyne, a difference of $392 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Drummoyne and Russell Lea?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,268 in Drummoyne (Canada Bay rates (OLG) and $1,268 in Russell Lea (Canada Bay rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Drummoyne and $1,548 in Russell Lea. 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 Drummoyne and Russell Lea?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,760 from Drummoyne and $2,018 from Russell Lea to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Drummoyne and $1,920 from Russell Lea.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Drummoyne and Russell Lea?
At 3% annual cost growth, Drummoyne costs a cumulative $86,277 and Russell Lea costs $81,783 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,494 in favour of Russell Lea. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Drummoyne and Russell Lea 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: Canada Bay rates (OLG and Canada Bay 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.