Lugarno vs Oatley: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lugarno and Oatley are both Georges River rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 19.3 km and 18 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Oatley runs $534 a year cheaper than Lugarno, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,122.
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 →Lugarno
Oatley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lugarno | Oatley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,447 | $1,447 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,948 | $4,714 | +$234 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $2,950 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,193 | $10,659 | +$534 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,631 | $8,331 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lugarno | Oatley | 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 — Lugarno vs Oatley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Oatley costs $534 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,122 in favour of Oatley.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Lugarno carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,631 from Lugarno versus $8,331 from Oatley.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lugarno cumulative | Oatley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,193 | $10,659 | $534 |
| Year 3 | $34,596 | $32,946 | $1,650 |
| Year 5 | $59,425 | $56,590 | $2,835 |
| Year 10 | $128,315 | $122,193 | $6,122 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lugarno or Oatley cheaper to live in?
Oatley is cheaper to run by car at $10,659 per year versus $11,193 for Lugarno, a difference of $534 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lugarno and Oatley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,447 in Lugarno (Georges River rates (OLG) and $1,447 in Oatley (Georges River rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Lugarno and $1,548 in Oatley. 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 Lugarno and Oatley?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,948 from Lugarno and $4,714 from Oatley to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Lugarno and $2,386 from Oatley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lugarno and Oatley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lugarno costs a cumulative $128,315 and Oatley costs $122,193 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,122 in favour of Oatley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lugarno and Oatley 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.