Albion Park Rail vs Oak Flats: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Albion Park Rail and Oak Flats are both Shellharbour rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 85.1 km and 84.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $10 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 →Albion Park Rail
Oak Flats
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Albion Park Rail | Oak Flats | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,865 | $1,865 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,718 | $3,708 | +$10 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,931 | $9,921 | +$10 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,613 | $8,613 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Albion Park Rail | Oak Flats | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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 — Albion Park Rail vs Oak Flats (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Albion Park Rail and Oak Flats cost within $10 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $115, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $10 per year. Albion Park Rail is 85.1 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, $8,613 and $8,613 a year, so the $10 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,865 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Oak Flats by $10 a year, $3,708 against $3,718.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,800 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.
The catchment state school scores 5 in Oak Flats against 3.4 in Albion Park Rail, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Albion Park Rail cumulative | Oak Flats cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,931 | $9,921 | $10 |
| Year 3 | $30,696 | $30,665 | $31 |
| Year 5 | $52,725 | $52,672 | $53 |
| Year 10 | $113,848 | $113,733 | $115 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Albion Park Rail or Oak Flats cheaper to live in?
Oak Flats is cheaper to run by car at $9,921 per year versus $9,931 for Albion Park Rail, a difference of $10 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Albion Park Rail and Oak Flats?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,865 in Albion Park Rail (Shellharbour rates (OLG) and $1,865 in Oak Flats (Shellharbour rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Albion Park Rail and $1,548 in Oak Flats. 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 Albion Park Rail and Oak Flats?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,718 from Albion Park Rail and $3,708 from Oak Flats to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Albion Park Rail and $2,400 from Oak Flats.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Albion Park Rail and Oak Flats?
At 3% annual cost growth, Albion Park Rail costs a cumulative $113,848 and Oak Flats costs $113,733 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $115 in favour of Oak Flats. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Albion Park Rail and Oak Flats 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: Shellharbour rates (OLG and Shellharbour 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.