Kangaroo Point vs Sylvania, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kangaroo Point and Sylvania are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 18.2 km and 19.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $167 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, Kangaroo Point costs about $1,900 less to run than Sylvania. That's about $4 a week.
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Sylvania
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kangaroo Point | Sylvania | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,913 | $5,080 | -$167 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,928 | $10,095 | -$167 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,401 | $7,401 | - |
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 | Kangaroo Point | Sylvania | 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, Kangaroo Point vs Sylvania (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kangaroo Point and Sylvania cost within $167 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,915, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $167 per year. Sylvania is 19.1 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, $7,401 and $7,401 a year, so the $167 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 Kangaroo Point by $167 a year, $4,913 against $5,080.
- 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 | Kangaroo Point cumulative | Sylvania cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,928 | $10,095 | $167 |
| Year 3 | $30,686 | $31,203 | $517 |
| Year 5 | $52,709 | $53,596 | $887 |
| Year 10 | $113,813 | $115,728 | $1,915 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kangaroo Point or Sylvania cheaper to live in?
Kangaroo Point is cheaper to run by car at $9,928 per year versus $10,095 for Sylvania, a difference of $167 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kangaroo Point and Sylvania?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Kangaroo Point (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Sylvania (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kangaroo Point and $1,548 in Sylvania. 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 Kangaroo Point and Sylvania?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,913 from Kangaroo Point and $5,080 from Sylvania to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Kangaroo Point and $2,386 from Sylvania.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kangaroo Point and Sylvania?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kangaroo Point costs a cumulative $113,813 and Sylvania costs $115,728 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,915 in favour of Kangaroo Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kangaroo Point and Sylvania suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.