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.
The two sit within $273 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 the gap between these two is about $3,100, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Kurraba Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kirribilli | Kurraba Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,327 | $1,327 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $814 | $1,041 | -$227 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $1,850 | +$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,039 | $5,766 | +$273 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,145 | $6,645 | +$500 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; 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
Kirribilli and Kurraba Point differ by $273 a year by car, but $500 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $227, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $500 per year. Kirribilli carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $500 per year, $7,145 from Kirribilli versus $6,645 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 $500 a year, $1,850 against $2,350.
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 | $6,039 | $5,766 | $273 |
| Year 3 | $18,666 | $17,822 | $844 |
| Year 5 | $32,062 | $30,612 | $1,450 |
| Year 10 | $69,230 | $66,101 | $3,129 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kirribilli or Kurraba Point cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Kirribilli runs $6,039 a year by car and Kurraba Point $5,766, but most of the $273 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $227. 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 $69,230 and Kurraba Point costs $66,101 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,129 in favour of Kurraba Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kirribilli and Kurraba Point suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.