Kyle Bay vs South Hurstville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kyle Bay and South Hurstville are both Georges River rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 16.7 km and 15.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
South Hurstville runs $1,372 a year cheaper than Kyle Bay, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,728.
Over 10 years, South Hurstville costs about $15,700 less to run than Kyle Bay — the same as paying $15,700 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 →Kyle Bay
South Hurstville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kyle Bay | South Hurstville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,447 | $1,447 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,617 | $4,345 | +$272 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $1,850 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,562 | $9,190 | +$1,372 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,331 | $7,231 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kyle Bay | South Hurstville | 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 — Kyle Bay vs South Hurstville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
South Hurstville costs $1,372 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,728 in favour of South Hurstville.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Kyle Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $8,331 from Kyle Bay versus $7,231 from South Hurstville.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,447 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours South Hurstville by $272 a year, $4,345 against $4,617.
- Building insurance favours South Hurstville by $1,100 a year, $1,850 against $2,950.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Kyle Bay against low in South Hurstville, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kyle Bay cumulative | South Hurstville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,562 | $9,190 | $1,372 |
| Year 3 | $32,646 | $28,405 | $4,241 |
| Year 5 | $56,075 | $48,791 | $7,284 |
| Year 10 | $121,081 | $105,353 | $15,728 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kyle Bay or South Hurstville cheaper to live in?
South Hurstville is cheaper to run by car at $9,190 per year versus $10,562 for Kyle Bay, a difference of $1,372 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kyle Bay and South Hurstville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,447 in Kyle Bay (Georges River rates (OLG) and $1,447 in South Hurstville (Georges River rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kyle Bay and $1,548 in South Hurstville. 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 Kyle Bay and South Hurstville?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,617 from Kyle Bay and $4,345 from South Hurstville to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Kyle Bay and $2,386 from South Hurstville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kyle Bay and South Hurstville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kyle Bay costs a cumulative $121,081 and South Hurstville costs $105,353 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,728 in favour of South Hurstville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kyle Bay and South Hurstville 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 Georges River rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.