Sandringham vs Sans Souci: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Sandringham and Sans Souci are both Bayside rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 15.6 km and 15.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $42 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here — the decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Sandringham
Sans Souci
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Sandringham | Sans Souci | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,265 | $1,265 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,244 | $4,202 | +$42 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,007 | $9,965 | +$42 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,149 | $8,149 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Sandringham | Sans Souci | 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 — Sandringham vs Sans Souci (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Sandringham and Sans Souci cost within $42 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $481, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $42 per year. Sandringham is 15.6 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,149 and $8,149 a year, so the $42 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Sandringham cumulative | Sans Souci cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,007 | $9,965 | $42 |
| Year 3 | $30,931 | $30,801 | $130 |
| Year 5 | $53,129 | $52,906 | $223 |
| Year 10 | $114,719 | $114,238 | $481 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sandringham or Sans Souci cheaper to live in?
Sans Souci is cheaper to run by car at $9,965 per year versus $10,007 for Sandringham, a difference of $42 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Sandringham and Sans Souci?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,265 in Sandringham (Bayside rates (OLG) and $1,265 in Sans Souci (Bayside rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Sandringham and $1,548 in Sans Souci. 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 Sandringham and Sans Souci?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,244 from Sandringham and $4,202 from Sans Souci to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Sandringham and $2,386 from Sans Souci.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Sandringham and Sans Souci?
At 3% annual cost growth, Sandringham costs a cumulative $114,719 and Sans Souci costs $114,238 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $481 in favour of Sans Souci. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Sandringham and Sans Souci 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: Bayside rates (OLG and Bayside 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.