Gordon vs Killara: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gordon and Killara are both Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in suburbs, sitting 13.4 km and 12.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Killara runs $600 a year cheaper than Gordon, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,879.
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 →Gordon
Killara
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gordon | Killara | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,189 | $2,189 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,770 | $3,470 | +$300 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $1,850 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,657 | $9,057 | +$600 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,273 | $7,973 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Gordon | Killara | 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 — Gordon vs Killara (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Killara costs $600 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,879 in favour of Killara.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $300 per year. Gordon is 13.4 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,273 from Gordon versus $7,973 from Killara.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gordon cumulative | Killara cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,657 | $9,057 | $600 |
| Year 3 | $29,849 | $27,994 | $1,855 |
| Year 5 | $51,270 | $48,085 | $3,185 |
| Year 10 | $110,707 | $103,828 | $6,879 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gordon or Killara cheaper to live in?
Killara is cheaper to run by car at $9,057 per year versus $9,657 for Gordon, a difference of $600 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gordon and Killara?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,189 in Gordon (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in) and $2,189 in Killara (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Gordon and $1,548 in Killara. 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 Gordon and Killara?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,770 from Gordon and $3,470 from Killara to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Gordon and $2,386 from Killara.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gordon and Killara?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gordon costs a cumulative $110,707 and Killara costs $103,828 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,879 in favour of Killara. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gordon and Killara 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: Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in and Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in 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.