Kensington vs Zetland: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kensington (Randwick rates (OLG) and Zetland (Sydney rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (5.1 km and 4.3 km).
Zetland runs $588 a year cheaper than Kensington, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,741.
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
Zetland
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kensington | Zetland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,723 | $924 | +$799 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,614 | $1,375 | +$239 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,300 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $3,500 | -$900 |
| Total (driving) | $6,735 | $6,147 | +$588 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,041 | $6,692 | +$349 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kensington | Zetland | 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 — Kensington vs Zetland (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Zetland costs $588 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,741 in favour of Zetland.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $799 per year.
On public transport the gap is $349 per year, $7,041 from Kensington versus $6,692 from Zetland.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kensington cumulative | Zetland cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,735 | $6,147 | $588 |
| Year 3 | $20,817 | $19,000 | $1,817 |
| Year 5 | $35,757 | $32,635 | $3,122 |
| Year 10 | $77,209 | $70,468 | $6,741 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kensington or Zetland cheaper to live in?
Zetland is cheaper to run by car at $6,147 per year versus $6,735 for Kensington, a difference of $588 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kensington and Zetland?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,723 in Kensington (Randwick rates (OLG) and $924 in Zetland (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kensington and $1,548 in Zetland. 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 Zetland?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,614 from Kensington and $1,375 from Zetland to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Kensington and $1,920 from Zetland.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kensington and Zetland?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kensington costs a cumulative $77,209 and Zetland costs $70,468 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,741 in favour of Zetland. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kensington and Zetland 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 Sydney 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.