Eagle Vale vs Kearns: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Eagle Vale and Kearns are both Campbelltown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 41.3 km and 41.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Eagle Vale runs $302 a year cheaper than Kearns, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,462.
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 →Eagle Vale
Kearns
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Eagle Vale | Kearns | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,751 | $6,753 | -$2 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,150 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,646 | $11,948 | -$302 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,295 | $7,595 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Eagle Vale | Kearns | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Eagle Vale vs Kearns (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Eagle Vale costs $302 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,462 in favour of Eagle Vale.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,295 from Eagle Vale versus $7,595 from Kearns.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Eagle Vale cumulative | Kearns cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,646 | $11,948 | $302 |
| Year 3 | $35,997 | $36,930 | $933 |
| Year 5 | $61,830 | $63,434 | $1,604 |
| Year 10 | $133,508 | $136,970 | $3,462 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eagle Vale or Kearns cheaper to live in?
Eagle Vale is cheaper to run by car at $11,646 per year versus $11,948 for Kearns, a difference of $302 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Eagle Vale and Kearns?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Eagle Vale (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in Kearns (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Eagle Vale and $1,548 in Kearns. 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 Eagle Vale and Kearns?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,751 from Eagle Vale and $6,753 from Kearns to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Eagle Vale and $2,400 from Kearns.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Eagle Vale and Kearns?
At 3% annual cost growth, Eagle Vale costs a cumulative $133,508 and Kearns costs $136,970 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,462 in favour of Eagle Vale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Eagle Vale and Kearns 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: Campbelltown rates (OLG and Campbelltown 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.