Kurnell vs La Perouse: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $1,662 a year cheaper than Kurnell, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $19,053.
Over 10 years, La Perouse costs about $19,100 less to run than Kurnell — the same as paying $19,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Kurnell
La Perouse
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kurnell | La Perouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,723 | -$106 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,677 | $3,859 | +$818 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $2,300 | +$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,092 | $9,430 | +$1,662 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,801 | $7,957 | +$844 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kurnell | La Perouse | 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 — Kurnell vs La Perouse (2026-27)
What the numbers show
La Perouse costs $1,662 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $19,053 in favour of La Perouse.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. Kurnell carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $844 per year, $8,801 from Kurnell versus $7,957 from La Perouse.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kurnell cumulative | La Perouse cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,092 | $9,430 | $1,662 |
| Year 3 | $34,284 | $29,147 | $5,137 |
| Year 5 | $58,889 | $50,065 | $8,824 |
| Year 10 | $127,157 | $108,104 | $19,053 |
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 $9,430 per year versus $11,092 for Kurnell, a difference of $1,662 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $4,677 from Kurnell and $3,859 from La Perouse to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $127,157 and La Perouse costs $108,104 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $19,053 in favour of La Perouse. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kurnell and La Perouse 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: Sutherland rates (OLG and Randwick 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.