Kingsford vs Randwick: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kingsford and Randwick are both Randwick rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 6.2 km and 6.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Randwick runs $450 a year cheaper than Kingsford, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,159.
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 →Kingsford
Randwick
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kingsford | Randwick | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,723 | $1,723 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,933 | $1,933 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,504 | $7,054 | +$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,491 | $7,041 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kingsford | Randwick | 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 — Kingsford vs Randwick (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Randwick costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,159 in favour of Randwick.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Kingsford carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,491 from Kingsford versus $7,041 from Randwick.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kingsford cumulative | Randwick cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,504 | $7,054 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $23,194 | $21,803 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $39,840 | $37,451 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $86,025 | $80,866 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kingsford or Randwick cheaper to live in?
Randwick is cheaper to run by car at $7,054 per year versus $7,504 for Kingsford, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kingsford and Randwick?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,723 in Kingsford (Randwick rates (OLG) and $1,723 in Randwick (Randwick rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kingsford 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 Kingsford and Randwick?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,933 from Kingsford and $1,933 from Randwick to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Kingsford and $1,920 from Randwick.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kingsford and Randwick?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kingsford costs a cumulative $86,025 and Randwick costs $80,866 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of Randwick. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kingsford 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.