Eschol Park 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
Eschol Park 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.
The two sit within $2 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here — the decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Eschol Park
Kearns
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Eschol Park | 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 | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,946 | $11,948 | -$2 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,595 | $7,595 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Eschol Park | 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 — Eschol Park vs Kearns (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Eschol Park and Kearns cost within $2 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $22, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $2 per year. Eschol Park is 41.3 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,595 and $7,595 a year, so the $2 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Eschol Park cumulative | Kearns cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,946 | $11,948 | $2 |
| Year 3 | $36,924 | $36,930 | $6 |
| Year 5 | $63,423 | $63,434 | $11 |
| Year 10 | $136,948 | $136,970 | $22 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eschol Park or Kearns cheaper to live in?
Eschol Park is cheaper to run by car at $11,946 per year versus $11,948 for Kearns, a difference of $2 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Eschol Park and Kearns?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Eschol Park (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in Kearns (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Eschol Park 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 Eschol Park and Kearns?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,751 from Eschol Park and $6,753 from Kearns to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Eschol Park and $2,400 from Kearns.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Eschol Park and Kearns?
At 3% annual cost growth, Eschol Park costs a cumulative $136,948 and Kearns costs $136,970 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $22 in favour of Eschol Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Eschol Park 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.