Barrack Point vs Lake Illawarra, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Barrack Point and Lake Illawarra are both Shellharbour rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 83.4 km and 81.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
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 →Barrack Point
Lake Illawarra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barrack Point | Lake Illawarra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,865 | $1,865 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,643 | $3,551 | +$92 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,156 | $9,064 | +$92 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,913 | $7,913 | - |
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 | Barrack Point | Lake Illawarra | 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, Barrack Point vs Lake Illawarra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Barrack Point and Lake Illawarra cost within $92 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,054, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $92 per year. Barrack Point is 83.4 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, $7,913 and $7,913 a year, so the $92 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 Lake Illawarra by $92 a year, $3,551 against $3,643.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,100 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barrack Point cumulative | Lake Illawarra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,156 | $9,064 | $92 |
| Year 3 | $28,300 | $28,016 | $284 |
| Year 5 | $48,610 | $48,122 | $488 |
| Year 10 | $104,963 | $103,909 | $1,054 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barrack Point or Lake Illawarra cheaper to live in?
Lake Illawarra is cheaper to run by car at $9,064 per year versus $9,156 for Barrack Point, 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 Barrack Point and Lake Illawarra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,865 in Barrack Point (Shellharbour rates (OLG) and $1,865 in Lake Illawarra (Shellharbour rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Barrack Point and $1,548 in Lake Illawarra. 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 Barrack Point and Lake Illawarra?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,643 from Barrack Point and $3,551 from Lake Illawarra to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Barrack Point and $2,400 from Lake Illawarra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Barrack Point and Lake Illawarra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Barrack Point costs a cumulative $104,963 and Lake Illawarra costs $103,909 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,054 in favour of Lake Illawarra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barrack Point and Lake Illawarra suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.