Greenhills Beach vs Kurnell: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Greenhills Beach and Kurnell are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 19.4 km and 17.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $11 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 →Greenhills Beach
Kurnell
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Greenhills Beach | Kurnell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,966 | $4,677 | +$289 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $3,250 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,081 | $11,092 | -$11 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,501 | $8,801 | -$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 | Greenhills Beach | Kurnell | 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 — Greenhills Beach vs Kurnell (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Greenhills Beach and Kurnell cost within $11 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $126, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Kurnell carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,501 from Greenhills Beach versus $8,801 from Kurnell.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Greenhills Beach cumulative | Kurnell cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,081 | $11,092 | $11 |
| Year 3 | $34,250 | $34,284 | $34 |
| Year 5 | $58,831 | $58,889 | $58 |
| Year 10 | $127,031 | $127,157 | $126 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Greenhills Beach or Kurnell cheaper to live in?
Greenhills Beach is cheaper to run by car at $11,081 per year versus $11,092 for Kurnell, a difference of $11 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Greenhills Beach and Kurnell?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Greenhills Beach (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Kurnell (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Greenhills Beach and $1,548 in Kurnell. 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 Greenhills Beach and Kurnell?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,966 from Greenhills Beach and $4,677 from Kurnell to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Greenhills Beach and $2,386 from Kurnell.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Greenhills Beach and Kurnell?
At 3% annual cost growth, Greenhills Beach costs a cumulative $127,031 and Kurnell costs $127,157 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $126 in favour of Greenhills Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Greenhills Beach and Kurnell 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: Sutherland rates (OLG and Sutherland 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.