Kensington vs Randwick: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kensington and Randwick are both Randwick rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 5.1 km and 6.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kensington runs $330 a year cheaper than Randwick, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,783.
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 →Kensington
Randwick
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kensington | Randwick | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,723 | $1,723 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,669 | $1,999 | -$330 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,790 | $7,120 | -$330 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,041 | $7,041 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kensington | Randwick | 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 — Kensington vs Randwick (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kensington costs $330 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,783 in favour of Kensington.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $330 per year. Randwick is 6.2 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, $7,041 and $7,041 a year, so the $330 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,723 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Kensington by $330 a year, $1,669 against $1,999.
- 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 | Kensington cumulative | Randwick cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,790 | $7,120 | $330 |
| Year 3 | $20,987 | $22,007 | $1,020 |
| Year 5 | $36,049 | $37,801 | $1,752 |
| Year 10 | $77,840 | $81,623 | $3,783 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kensington or Randwick cheaper to live in?
Kensington is cheaper to run by car at $6,790 per year versus $7,120 for Randwick, a difference of $330 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kensington and Randwick?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,723 in Kensington (Randwick rates (OLG) and $1,723 in Randwick (Randwick rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kensington and $1,548 in Randwick. 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 Kensington and Randwick?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,669 from Kensington and $1,999 from Randwick to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Kensington and $1,920 from Randwick.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kensington and Randwick?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kensington costs a cumulative $77,840 and Randwick costs $81,623 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,783 in favour of Kensington. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kensington and Randwick 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: Randwick rates (OLG and Randwick rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.