Kogarah vs Monterey, 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 (Georges River rates (OLG) and Monterey (Bayside rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (12.8 km and 12.7 km).
The two sit within $206 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, Monterey costs about $2,400 less to run than Kogarah. That's about $5 a week.
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Monterey
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kogarah | Monterey | 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 | $3,757 | $3,733 | +$24 |
| 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) | $8,602 | $8,396 | +$206 |
| 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 | Monterey | 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 vs Monterey (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kogarah and Monterey cost within $206 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,361, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
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 $206 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Monterey by $182 a year, $1,265 against $1,447.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Monterey by $24 a year, $3,733 against $3,757.
- 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 cumulative | Monterey cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,602 | $8,396 | $206 |
| Year 3 | $26,588 | $25,951 | $637 |
| Year 5 | $45,669 | $44,576 | $1,093 |
| Year 10 | $98,612 | $96,251 | $2,361 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kogarah or Monterey cheaper to live in?
Monterey is cheaper to run by car at $8,396 per year versus $8,602 for Kogarah, a difference of $206 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kogarah and Monterey?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,447 in Kogarah (Georges River rates (OLG) and $1,265 in Monterey (Bayside rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kogarah and $1,548 in Monterey. 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 and Monterey?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,757 from Kogarah and $3,733 from Monterey to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Kogarah and $2,386 from Monterey.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kogarah and Monterey?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kogarah costs a cumulative $98,612 and Monterey costs $96,251 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,361 in favour of Monterey. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kogarah and Monterey 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.