Gymea Bay vs Kirrawee: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gymea Bay and Kirrawee are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 23.1 km and 22.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $255 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 →Gymea Bay
Kirrawee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gymea Bay | Kirrawee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,741 | $5,636 | +$105 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,150 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,206 | $10,951 | +$255 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,865 | $7,715 | +$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Gymea Bay | Kirrawee | 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 — Gymea Bay vs Kirrawee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gymea Bay and Kirrawee cost within $255 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,923, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. Gymea Bay carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,865 and $7,715 a year, so the $255 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,617 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Kirrawee by $105 a year, $5,636 against $5,741.
- Building insurance favours Kirrawee by $150 a year, $2,150 against $2,300.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Gymea Bay against low in Kirrawee, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Kirrawee against low in Gymea Bay, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 8.3 in Gymea Bay against 7.3 in Kirrawee, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gymea Bay cumulative | Kirrawee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,206 | $10,951 | $255 |
| Year 3 | $34,637 | $33,848 | $789 |
| Year 5 | $59,494 | $58,140 | $1,354 |
| Year 10 | $128,464 | $125,541 | $2,923 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gymea Bay or Kirrawee cheaper to live in?
Kirrawee is cheaper to run by car at $10,951 per year versus $11,206 for Gymea Bay, a difference of $255 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gymea Bay and Kirrawee?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Gymea Bay (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Kirrawee (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Gymea Bay and $1,548 in Kirrawee. 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 Gymea Bay and Kirrawee?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,741 from Gymea Bay and $5,636 from Kirrawee to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Gymea Bay and $2,400 from Kirrawee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gymea Bay and Kirrawee?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gymea Bay costs a cumulative $128,464 and Kirrawee costs $125,541 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,923 in favour of Kirrawee. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gymea Bay and Kirrawee 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.