Kogarah vs Rockdale: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $536 a year cheaper than Kogarah, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,145.
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 →Kogarah
Rockdale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kogarah | Rockdale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,447 | $1,265 | +$182 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,633 | $3,279 | +$354 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,600 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $9,578 | $9,042 | +$536 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,331 | $8,149 | +$182 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kogarah | Rockdale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 $536 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,145 in favour of Rockdale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $354 per year. Kogarah is 12.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,331 and $8,149 a year, so the $536 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kogarah cumulative | Rockdale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,578 | $9,042 | $536 |
| Year 3 | $29,605 | $27,948 | $1,657 |
| Year 5 | $50,851 | $48,005 | $2,846 |
| Year 10 | $109,801 | $103,656 | $6,145 |
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 $9,042 per year versus $9,578 for Kogarah, a difference of $536 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $3,633 from Kogarah and $3,279 from Rockdale to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $109,801 and Rockdale costs $103,656 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,145 in favour of Rockdale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kogarah and Rockdale 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: Georges River rates (OLG and Bayside rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.