Eastlakes vs Kingsford, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Eastlakes (Bayside rates (OLG) and Kingsford (Randwick rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (6.7 km and 6.2 km).
Eastlakes runs $562 a year cheaper than Kingsford, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,443.
Over 10 years, Eastlakes costs about $6,400 less to run than Kingsford. That's about $12 a week.
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Kingsford
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Eastlakes | Kingsford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,265 | $1,723 | -$458 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,145 | $1,999 | +$146 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,850 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,558 | $7,120 | -$562 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,333 | $7,041 | -$708 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Eastlakes | Kingsford | 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, Eastlakes vs Kingsford (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Eastlakes costs $562 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,443 in favour of Eastlakes.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $458 per year.
On public transport the gap is $708 per year, $6,333 from Eastlakes versus $7,041 from Kingsford.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Eastlakes by $458 a year, $1,265 against $1,723.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Kingsford by $146 a year, $1,999 against $2,145.
- Building insurance favours Eastlakes by $250 a year, $1,600 against $1,850.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Eastlakes cumulative | Kingsford cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,558 | $7,120 | $562 |
| Year 3 | $20,270 | $22,007 | $1,737 |
| Year 5 | $34,817 | $37,801 | $2,984 |
| Year 10 | $75,180 | $81,623 | $6,443 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eastlakes or Kingsford cheaper to live in?
Eastlakes is cheaper to run by car at $6,558 per year versus $7,120 for Kingsford, a difference of $562 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Eastlakes and Kingsford?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,265 in Eastlakes (Bayside rates (OLG) and $1,723 in Kingsford (Randwick rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Eastlakes and $1,548 in Kingsford. 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 Eastlakes and Kingsford?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,145 from Eastlakes and $1,999 from Kingsford to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Eastlakes and $1,920 from Kingsford.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Eastlakes and Kingsford?
At 3% annual cost growth, Eastlakes costs a cumulative $75,180 and Kingsford costs $81,623 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,443 in favour of Eastlakes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Eastlakes and Kingsford suits you better?
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Sources: Bayside rates (OLG and Randwick rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.