Kogarah Bay vs Ramsgate, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kogarah Bay (Georges River rates (OLG) and Ramsgate (Bayside rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (14.9 km and 14.3 km).
Ramsgate runs $316 a year cheaper than Kogarah Bay, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,623.
Over 10 years, Ramsgate costs about $3,600 less to run than Kogarah Bay. That's about $7 a week.
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Ramsgate
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kogarah Bay | Ramsgate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,447 | $1,265 | +$182 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,237 | $4,103 | +$134 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,082 | $8,766 | +$316 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,231 | $7,049 | +$182 |
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 | Kogarah Bay | Ramsgate | 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, Kogarah Bay vs Ramsgate (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ramsgate costs $316 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,623 in favour of Ramsgate.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $182 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,231 and $7,049 a year, so the $316 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Ramsgate by $182 a year, $1,265 against $1,447.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Ramsgate by $134 a year, $4,103 against $4,237.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kogarah Bay cumulative | Ramsgate cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,082 | $8,766 | $316 |
| Year 3 | $28,072 | $27,095 | $977 |
| Year 5 | $48,218 | $46,540 | $1,678 |
| Year 10 | $104,115 | $100,492 | $3,623 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kogarah Bay or Ramsgate cheaper to live in?
Ramsgate is cheaper to run by car at $8,766 per year versus $9,082 for Kogarah Bay, a difference of $316 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kogarah Bay and Ramsgate?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,447 in Kogarah Bay (Georges River rates (OLG) and $1,265 in Ramsgate (Bayside rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kogarah Bay and $1,548 in Ramsgate. 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 Kogarah Bay and Ramsgate?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,237 from Kogarah Bay and $4,103 from Ramsgate to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Kogarah Bay and $2,386 from Ramsgate.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kogarah Bay and Ramsgate?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kogarah Bay costs a cumulative $104,115 and Ramsgate costs $100,492 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,623 in favour of Ramsgate. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kogarah Bay and Ramsgate suits you better?
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Sources: Georges River rates (OLG and Bayside rates (OLG 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.