Kirrawee vs Sutherland: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kirrawee and Sutherland are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 22.4 km and 22.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $270 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 →Kirrawee
Sutherland
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kirrawee | Sutherland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,450 | $5,480 | -$30 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $1,850 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,765 | $10,495 | +$270 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,715 | $7,415 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kirrawee | Sutherland | 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 — Kirrawee vs Sutherland (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kirrawee and Sutherland cost within $270 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,096, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,715 from Kirrawee versus $7,415 from Sutherland.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kirrawee cumulative | Sutherland cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,765 | $10,495 | $270 |
| Year 3 | $33,274 | $32,439 | $835 |
| Year 5 | $57,153 | $55,719 | $1,434 |
| Year 10 | $123,409 | $120,313 | $3,096 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kirrawee or Sutherland cheaper to live in?
Sutherland is cheaper to run by car at $10,495 per year versus $10,765 for Kirrawee, a difference of $270 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kirrawee and Sutherland?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Kirrawee (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Sutherland (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kirrawee and $1,548 in Sutherland. 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 Kirrawee and Sutherland?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,450 from Kirrawee and $5,480 from Sutherland to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kirrawee and $2,400 from Sutherland.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kirrawee and Sutherland?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kirrawee costs a cumulative $123,409 and Sutherland costs $120,313 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,096 in favour of Sutherland. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kirrawee and Sutherland 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: Sutherland rates (OLG and Sutherland 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.