Harrington Park vs Kirkham, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Harrington Park and Kirkham are both Camden rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 47.3 km and 50 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $204 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, Kirkham costs about $2,300 less to run than Harrington Park. That's about $4 a week.
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Kirkham
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Harrington Park | Kirkham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,573 | $1,573 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,756 | $6,552 | +$204 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,727 | $11,523 | +$204 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,371 | $7,371 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Harrington Park | Kirkham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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, Harrington Park vs Kirkham (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Harrington Park and Kirkham cost within $204 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,339, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $204 per year. Kirkham is 50 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,371 and $7,371 a year, so the $204 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,573 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Kirkham by $204 a year, $6,552 against $6,756.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Harrington Park cumulative | Kirkham cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,727 | $11,523 | $204 |
| Year 3 | $36,247 | $35,616 | $631 |
| Year 5 | $62,260 | $61,177 | $1,083 |
| Year 10 | $134,437 | $132,098 | $2,339 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Harrington Park or Kirkham cheaper to live in?
Kirkham is cheaper to run by car at $11,523 per year versus $11,727 for Harrington Park, a difference of $204 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Harrington Park and Kirkham?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,573 in Harrington Park (Camden rates (OLG) and $1,573 in Kirkham (Camden rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Harrington Park and $1,548 in Kirkham. 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 Harrington Park and Kirkham?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,756 from Harrington Park and $6,552 from Kirkham to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Harrington Park and $2,400 from Kirkham.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Harrington Park and Kirkham?
At 3% annual cost growth, Harrington Park costs a cumulative $134,437 and Kirkham costs $132,098 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,339 in favour of Kirkham. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Harrington Park and Kirkham suits you better?
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Sources: Camden rates (OLG and Camden rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.