Kirribilli vs Kurraba Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kirribilli and Kurraba Point are both North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in suburbs, sitting 2.4 km and 3.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kurraba Point runs $423 a year cheaper than Kirribilli, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,850.
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 →Kirribilli
Kurraba Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kirribilli | Kurraba Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,327 | $1,327 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $814 | $1,041 | -$227 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,300 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,639 | $6,216 | +$423 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,745 | $7,095 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kirribilli | Kurraba Point | 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 — Kirribilli vs Kurraba Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kurraba Point costs $423 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,850 in favour of Kurraba Point.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Kirribilli carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,745 from Kirribilli versus $7,095 from Kurraba Point.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,327 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Kirribilli by $227 a year, $814 against $1,041.
- Building insurance favours Kurraba Point by $650 a year, $2,300 against $2,950.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Kirribilli against medium in Kurraba Point, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kirribilli cumulative | Kurraba Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,639 | $6,216 | $423 |
| Year 3 | $20,520 | $19,213 | $1,307 |
| Year 5 | $35,247 | $33,002 | $2,245 |
| Year 10 | $76,109 | $71,259 | $4,850 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kirribilli or Kurraba Point cheaper to live in?
Kurraba Point is cheaper to run by car at $6,216 per year versus $6,639 for Kirribilli, a difference of $423 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kirribilli and Kurraba Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,327 in Kirribilli (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in) and $1,327 in Kurraba Point (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kirribilli and $1,548 in Kurraba Point. 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 Kirribilli and Kurraba Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $814 from Kirribilli and $1,041 from Kurraba Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Kirribilli and $1,920 from Kurraba Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kirribilli and Kurraba Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kirribilli costs a cumulative $76,109 and Kurraba Point costs $71,259 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,850 in favour of Kurraba Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kirribilli and Kurraba Point 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: North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in and North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in 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.