Kyeemagh 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
Kyeemagh and Rockdale are both Bayside rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 10.1 km and 11.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kyeemagh runs $307 a year cheaper than Rockdale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,519.
Over 10 years, Kyeemagh costs about $3,500 less to run than Rockdale. That's about $7 a week.
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Rockdale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kyeemagh | Rockdale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,265 | $1,265 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,084 | $3,391 | -$307 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,747 | $8,054 | -$307 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,049 | $7,049 | - |
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 | Kyeemagh | 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, Kyeemagh vs Rockdale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kyeemagh costs $307 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,519 in favour of Kyeemagh.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $307 per year. Rockdale is 11.3 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, $7,049 and $7,049 a year, so the $307 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,265 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Kyeemagh by $307 a year, $3,084 against $3,391.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kyeemagh cumulative | Rockdale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,747 | $8,054 | $307 |
| Year 3 | $23,945 | $24,894 | $949 |
| Year 5 | $41,130 | $42,760 | $1,630 |
| Year 10 | $88,811 | $92,330 | $3,519 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kyeemagh or Rockdale cheaper to live in?
Kyeemagh is cheaper to run by car at $7,747 per year versus $8,054 for Rockdale, a difference of $307 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kyeemagh and Rockdale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,265 in Kyeemagh (Bayside rates (OLG) and $1,265 in Rockdale (Bayside rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kyeemagh 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 Kyeemagh and Rockdale?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,084 from Kyeemagh and $3,391 from Rockdale to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Kyeemagh and $2,386 from Rockdale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kyeemagh and Rockdale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kyeemagh costs a cumulative $88,811 and Rockdale costs $92,330 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,519 in favour of Kyeemagh. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kyeemagh and Rockdale suits you better?
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Sources: Bayside 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.