Eastgardens vs Maroubra: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Eastgardens (Bayside rates (OLG) and Maroubra (Randwick rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (8.8 km and 9.1 km).
Eastgardens runs $536 a year cheaper than Maroubra, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,144.
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 →Eastgardens
Maroubra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Eastgardens | Maroubra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,265 | $1,723 | -$458 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,647 | $2,725 | -$78 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,760 | $8,296 | -$536 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,033 | $7,491 | -$458 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Eastgardens | Maroubra | 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 — Eastgardens vs Maroubra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Eastgardens costs $536 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,144 in favour of Eastgardens.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $458 per year.
On public transport the gap is $458 per year, $7,033 from Eastgardens versus $7,491 from Maroubra.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Eastgardens cumulative | Maroubra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,760 | $8,296 | $536 |
| Year 3 | $23,985 | $25,642 | $1,657 |
| Year 5 | $41,199 | $44,045 | $2,846 |
| Year 10 | $88,960 | $95,104 | $6,144 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eastgardens or Maroubra cheaper to live in?
Eastgardens is cheaper to run by car at $7,760 per year versus $8,296 for Maroubra, a difference of $536 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Eastgardens and Maroubra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,265 in Eastgardens (Bayside rates (OLG) and $1,723 in Maroubra (Randwick rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Eastgardens and $1,548 in Maroubra. 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 Eastgardens and Maroubra?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,647 from Eastgardens and $2,725 from Maroubra to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Eastgardens and $1,920 from Maroubra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Eastgardens and Maroubra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Eastgardens costs a cumulative $88,960 and Maroubra costs $95,104 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,144 in favour of Eastgardens. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Eastgardens and Maroubra 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: Bayside rates (OLG and Randwick 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.