Kurrajong vs Tennyson: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kurrajong and Tennyson are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 62.5 km and 58.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kurrajong runs $489 a year cheaper than Tennyson, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,606.
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 →Kurrajong
Tennyson
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kurrajong | Tennyson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,620 | $5,359 | -$739 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,150 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $2,100 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $10,416 | $10,905 | -$489 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,196 | $7,946 | +$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kurrajong | Tennyson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Kurrajong vs Tennyson (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kurrajong costs $489 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,606 in favour of Kurrajong.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $739 per year. Kurrajong is 62.5 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $8,196 from Kurrajong versus $7,946 from Tennyson.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kurrajong cumulative | Tennyson cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,416 | $10,905 | $489 |
| Year 3 | $32,195 | $33,706 | $1,511 |
| Year 5 | $55,300 | $57,896 | $2,596 |
| Year 10 | $119,408 | $125,014 | $5,606 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kurrajong or Tennyson cheaper to live in?
Kurrajong is cheaper to run by car at $10,416 per year versus $10,905 for Tennyson, a difference of $489 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kurrajong and Tennyson?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Kurrajong (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,848 in Tennyson (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kurrajong and $1,548 in Tennyson. 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 Kurrajong and Tennyson?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,620 from Kurrajong and $5,359 from Tennyson to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kurrajong and $2,400 from Tennyson.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kurrajong and Tennyson?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kurrajong costs a cumulative $119,408 and Tennyson costs $125,014 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,606 in favour of Kurrajong. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kurrajong and Tennyson 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: Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in and Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in 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.