Albion Park Rail vs Yallah, 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 (Shellharbour rates (OLG) and Yallah (Wollongong rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (85.1 km and 83.7 km).
The two sit within $92 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.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Albion Park Rail
Yallah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Albion Park Rail | Yallah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,865 | $1,819 | +$46 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,718 | $3,656 | +$62 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,300 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,231 | $9,323 | -$92 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,913 | $8,067 | -$154 |
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 | Albion Park Rail | Yallah | 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 Yallah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Albion Park Rail and Yallah cost within $92 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,055, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year. Yallah carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,913 and $8,067 a year, so the $92 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Yallah by $46 a year, $1,819 against $1,865.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Yallah by $62 a year, $3,656 against $3,718.
- Building insurance favours Albion Park Rail by $200 a year, $2,100 against $2,300.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Fire risk is rated medium in Yallah against low in Albion Park Rail, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 5.4 in Yallah 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 | Yallah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,231 | $9,323 | $92 |
| Year 3 | $28,532 | $28,816 | $284 |
| Year 5 | $49,009 | $49,497 | $488 |
| Year 10 | $105,823 | $106,878 | $1,055 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Albion Park Rail or Yallah cheaper to live in?
Albion Park Rail is cheaper to run by car at $9,231 per year versus $9,323 for Yallah, a difference of $92 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 Yallah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,865 in Albion Park Rail (Shellharbour rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Yallah (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Albion Park Rail and $1,548 in Yallah. 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 Yallah?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,718 from Albion Park Rail and $3,656 from Yallah to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Albion Park Rail and $2,400 from Yallah.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Albion Park Rail and Yallah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Albion Park Rail costs a cumulative $105,823 and Yallah costs $106,878 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,055 in favour of Albion Park Rail. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Albion Park Rail and Yallah suits you better?
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 Wollongong 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.