Kensington vs Zetland: 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 (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 $596 a year cheaper than Kensington, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,833.
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) | $1,669 | $1,422 | +$247 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,300 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $3,500 | -$900 |
| Total (driving) | $6,790 | $6,194 | +$596 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,041 | $6,692 | +$349 |
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 | Zetland | 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 Zetland (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Zetland costs $596 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,833 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.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Zetland by $799 a year, $924 against $1,723.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Zetland by $247 a year, $1,422 against $1,669.
- Building insurance favours Kensington by $450 a year, $1,850 against $2,300.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Flood risk is rated medium in Zetland against low in Kensington, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kensington cumulative | Zetland cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,790 | $6,194 | $596 |
| Year 3 | $20,987 | $19,145 | $1,842 |
| Year 5 | $36,049 | $32,885 | $3,164 |
| Year 10 | $77,840 | $71,007 | $6,833 |
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 $6,194 per year versus $6,790 for Kensington, a difference of $596 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $1,669 from Kensington and $1,422 from Zetland to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $77,840 and Zetland costs $71,007 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,833 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.