Eastgardens vs Pagewood: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Eastgardens and Pagewood are both Bayside rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 8.8 km and 7.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Pagewood runs $305 a year cheaper than Eastgardens, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,496.
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
Pagewood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Eastgardens | Pagewood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,265 | $1,265 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,737 | $2,432 | +$305 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,850 | $7,545 | +$305 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,033 | $7,033 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Eastgardens | Pagewood | 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 — Eastgardens vs Pagewood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Pagewood costs $305 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,496 in favour of Pagewood.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $305 per year. Eastgardens is 8.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,033 and $7,033 a year, so the $305 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,265 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Pagewood by $305 a year, $2,432 against $2,737.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,300 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Eastgardens cumulative | Pagewood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,850 | $7,545 | $305 |
| Year 3 | $24,264 | $23,321 | $943 |
| Year 5 | $41,677 | $40,057 | $1,620 |
| Year 10 | $89,991 | $86,495 | $3,496 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eastgardens or Pagewood cheaper to live in?
Pagewood is cheaper to run by car at $7,545 per year versus $7,850 for Eastgardens, a difference of $305 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Eastgardens and Pagewood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,265 in Eastgardens (Bayside rates (OLG) and $1,265 in Pagewood (Bayside rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Eastgardens and $1,548 in Pagewood. 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 Pagewood?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,737 from Eastgardens and $2,432 from Pagewood to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Eastgardens and $1,920 from Pagewood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Eastgardens and Pagewood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Eastgardens costs a cumulative $89,991 and Pagewood costs $86,495 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,496 in favour of Pagewood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Eastgardens and Pagewood 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 Bayside rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.