Gerringong vs Rose Valley: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gerringong and Rose Valley are both Kiama rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 103.2 km and 100.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $250 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.
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 →Gerringong
Rose Valley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gerringong | Rose Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,959 | $1,959 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,850 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $24,207 | $23,957 | +$250 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,007 | $8,757 | +$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Gerringong | Rose Valley | 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 — Gerringong vs Rose Valley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gerringong and Rose Valley cost within $250 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,866, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Gerringong carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $9,007 from Gerringong versus $8,757 from Rose Valley.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gerringong cumulative | Rose Valley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $24,207 | $23,957 | $250 |
| Year 3 | $74,821 | $74,049 | $772 |
| Year 5 | $128,518 | $127,191 | $1,327 |
| Year 10 | $277,506 | $274,640 | $2,866 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gerringong or Rose Valley cheaper to live in?
Rose Valley is cheaper to run by car at $23,957 per year versus $24,207 for Gerringong, a difference of $250 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gerringong and Rose Valley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,959 in Gerringong (Kiama rates (OLG) and $1,959 in Rose Valley (Kiama rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Gerringong and $1,548 in Rose Valley. 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 Gerringong and Rose Valley?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Gerringong and $17,600 from Rose Valley to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Gerringong and $2,400 from Rose Valley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gerringong and Rose Valley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gerringong costs a cumulative $277,506 and Rose Valley costs $274,640 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,866 in favour of Rose Valley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gerringong and Rose Valley 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: Kiama rates (OLG and Kiama 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.