Jerrara 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
Jerrara and Rose Valley are both Kiama rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 96.6 km and 100.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Jerrara runs $14,370 a year cheaper than Rose Valley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $164,736.
Over 10 years, Jerrara costs about $164,700 less to run than Rose Valley — the same as paying $164,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Rose Valley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Jerrara | Rose Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,959 | $1,959 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,080 | $17,600 | -$13,520 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,850 | -$850 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,587 | $23,957 | -$14,370 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,907 | $8,757 | -$850 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Jerrara | 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 — Jerrara vs Rose Valley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Jerrara costs $14,370 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $164,736 in favour of Jerrara.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $13,520 per year. Rose Valley is 100.6 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $850 per year, $7,907 from Jerrara versus $8,757 from Rose Valley.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Jerrara cumulative | Rose Valley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,587 | $23,957 | $14,370 |
| Year 3 | $29,632 | $74,049 | $44,417 |
| Year 5 | $50,899 | $127,191 | $76,292 |
| Year 10 | $109,904 | $274,640 | $164,736 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jerrara or Rose Valley cheaper to live in?
Jerrara is cheaper to run by car at $9,587 per year versus $23,957 for Rose Valley, a difference of $14,370 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Jerrara and Rose Valley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,959 in Jerrara (Kiama rates (OLG) and $1,959 in Rose Valley (Kiama rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Jerrara 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 Jerrara and Rose Valley?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,080 from Jerrara and $17,600 from Rose Valley to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Jerrara and $2,400 from Rose Valley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Jerrara and Rose Valley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Jerrara costs a cumulative $109,904 and Rose Valley costs $274,640 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $164,736 in favour of Jerrara. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Jerrara 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.