Kearns vs Raby, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kearns and Raby are both Campbelltown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 41.1 km and 39.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $245 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 the gap between these two is about $2,800, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Raby
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kearns | Raby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,983 | $6,988 | -$5 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,600 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,878 | $11,633 | +$245 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,295 | $7,045 | +$250 |
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 | Kearns | Raby | 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, Kearns vs Raby (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kearns and Raby differ by $245 a year by car, but $250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $5, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,295 from Kearns versus $7,045 from Raby.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,497 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Kearns by $5 a year, $6,983 against $6,988.
- Building insurance favours Raby by $250 a year, $1,600 against $1,850.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Kearns against low in Raby, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kearns cumulative | Raby cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,878 | $11,633 | $245 |
| Year 3 | $36,714 | $35,956 | $758 |
| Year 5 | $63,062 | $61,761 | $1,301 |
| Year 10 | $136,168 | $133,359 | $2,809 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kearns or Raby cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Kearns runs $11,878 a year by car and Raby $11,633, but most of the $245 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $5. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kearns and Raby?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Kearns (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in Raby (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kearns and $1,548 in Raby. 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 Kearns and Raby?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,983 from Kearns and $6,988 from Raby to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kearns and $2,400 from Raby.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kearns and Raby?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kearns costs a cumulative $136,168 and Raby costs $133,359 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,809 in favour of Raby. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kearns and Raby suits you better?
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Sources: Campbelltown rates (OLG and Campbelltown 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.