Kearns vs Varroville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kearns and Varroville 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 $5 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 →Kearns
Varroville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kearns | Varroville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,753 | $6,758 | -$5 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,948 | $11,953 | -$5 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,595 | $7,595 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kearns | Varroville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Kearns vs Varroville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kearns and Varroville cost within $5 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $58, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $5 per year. Kearns is 41.1 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,595 and $7,595 a year, so the $5 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kearns cumulative | Varroville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,948 | $11,953 | $5 |
| Year 3 | $36,930 | $36,946 | $16 |
| Year 5 | $63,434 | $63,460 | $26 |
| Year 10 | $136,970 | $137,028 | $58 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kearns or Varroville cheaper to live in?
Kearns is cheaper to run by car at $11,948 per year versus $11,953 for Varroville, a difference of $5 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kearns and Varroville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Kearns (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in Varroville (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kearns and $1,548 in Varroville. 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 Varroville?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,753 from Kearns and $6,758 from Varroville to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kearns and $2,400 from Varroville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kearns and Varroville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kearns costs a cumulative $136,970 and Varroville costs $137,028 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $58 in favour of Kearns. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kearns and Varroville 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: Campbelltown rates (OLG and Campbelltown 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.