Kurnell vs La Perouse, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kurnell (Sutherland rates (OLG) and La Perouse (Randwick rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (17.8 km and 13.8 km).
La Perouse runs $889 a year cheaper than Kurnell, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,191.
Over 10 years, La Perouse costs about $10,200 less to run than Kurnell. That's about $20 a week.
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La Perouse
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kurnell | La Perouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,617 | $1,723 | -$106 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,836 | $3,991 | +$845 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $1,850 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,001 | $9,112 | +$889 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,551 | $7,507 | +$44 |
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 | Kurnell | La Perouse | 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, Kurnell vs La Perouse (2026-27)
What the numbers show
La Perouse costs $889 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,191 in favour of La Perouse.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $845 per year. Kurnell is 17.8 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, $7,551 and $7,507 a year, so the $889 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Kurnell by $106 a year, $1,617 against $1,723.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours La Perouse by $845 a year, $3,991 against $4,836.
- Building insurance favours La Perouse by $150 a year, $1,850 against $2,000.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Kurnell against medium in La Perouse, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Kurnell against low in La Perouse, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 6.8 in Kurnell against 4 in La Perouse, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kurnell cumulative | La Perouse cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,001 | $9,112 | $889 |
| Year 3 | $30,912 | $28,164 | $2,748 |
| Year 5 | $53,097 | $48,377 | $4,720 |
| Year 10 | $114,650 | $104,459 | $10,191 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kurnell or La Perouse cheaper to live in?
La Perouse is cheaper to run by car at $9,112 per year versus $10,001 for Kurnell, a difference of $889 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kurnell and La Perouse?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Kurnell (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,723 in La Perouse (Randwick rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kurnell and $1,548 in La Perouse. 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 Kurnell and La Perouse?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,836 from Kurnell and $3,991 from La Perouse to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Kurnell and $2,386 from La Perouse.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kurnell and La Perouse?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kurnell costs a cumulative $114,650 and La Perouse costs $104,459 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,191 in favour of La Perouse. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kurnell and La Perouse suits you better?
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Sources: Sutherland rates (OLG and Randwick 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.