East Kurrajong vs Tennyson: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
East Kurrajong and Tennyson are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 56.6 km and 58.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tennyson runs $685 a year cheaper than East Kurrajong, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,852.
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 →East Kurrajong
Tennyson
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | East Kurrajong | Tennyson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,594 | $5,359 | +$235 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $2,150 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,590 | $10,905 | +$685 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,396 | $7,946 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | East Kurrajong | Tennyson | 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 — East Kurrajong vs Tennyson (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tennyson costs $685 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,852 in favour of Tennyson.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. East Kurrajong carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $8,396 from East Kurrajong versus $7,946 from Tennyson.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | East Kurrajong cumulative | Tennyson cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,590 | $10,905 | $685 |
| Year 3 | $35,824 | $33,706 | $2,118 |
| Year 5 | $61,533 | $57,896 | $3,637 |
| Year 10 | $132,866 | $125,014 | $7,852 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is East Kurrajong or Tennyson cheaper to live in?
Tennyson is cheaper to run by car at $10,905 per year versus $11,590 for East Kurrajong, a difference of $685 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in East Kurrajong and Tennyson?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in East Kurrajong (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,848 in Tennyson (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in East Kurrajong and $1,548 in Tennyson. 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 East Kurrajong and Tennyson?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,594 from East Kurrajong and $5,359 from Tennyson to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from East Kurrajong and $2,400 from Tennyson.
What is the 10-year cost difference between East Kurrajong and Tennyson?
At 3% annual cost growth, East Kurrajong costs a cumulative $132,866 and Tennyson costs $125,014 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,852 in favour of Tennyson. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of East Kurrajong and Tennyson 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: Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in and Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in 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.