Kogarah vs Rockdale, 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 Rockdale (Bayside rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (12.8 km and 11.3 km).
Rockdale runs $548 a year cheaper than Kogarah, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,282.
Over 10 years, Rockdale costs about $6,300 less to run than Kogarah. That's about $12 a week.
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Rockdale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kogarah | Rockdale | 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 | $3,391 | +$366 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,600 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $8,602 | $8,054 | +$548 |
| 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 | Rockdale | 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 Rockdale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rockdale costs $548 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,282 in favour of Rockdale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $366 per year. Kogarah is 12.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,231 and $7,049 a year, so the $548 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Rockdale by $182 a year, $1,265 against $1,447.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Rockdale by $366 a year, $3,391 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 | Rockdale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,602 | $8,054 | $548 |
| Year 3 | $26,588 | $24,894 | $1,694 |
| Year 5 | $45,669 | $42,760 | $2,909 |
| Year 10 | $98,612 | $92,330 | $6,282 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kogarah or Rockdale cheaper to live in?
Rockdale is cheaper to run by car at $8,054 per year versus $8,602 for Kogarah, a difference of $548 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kogarah and Rockdale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,447 in Kogarah (Georges River rates (OLG) and $1,265 in Rockdale (Bayside rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kogarah and $1,548 in Rockdale. 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 Rockdale?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,757 from Kogarah and $3,391 from Rockdale to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Kogarah and $2,386 from Rockdale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kogarah and Rockdale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kogarah costs a cumulative $98,612 and Rockdale costs $92,330 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,282 in favour of Rockdale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kogarah and Rockdale 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.