Belfield vs Lakemba: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Belfield and Lakemba are both Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 12.2 km and 13.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Belfield runs $308 a year cheaper than Lakemba, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,531.
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 →Belfield
Lakemba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Belfield | Lakemba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,613 | $3,921 | -$308 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,838 | $9,146 | -$308 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,611 | $7,611 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Belfield | Lakemba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Belfield vs Lakemba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Belfield costs $308 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,531 in favour of Belfield.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $308 per year. Lakemba is 13.5 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, $7,611 and $7,611 a year, so the $308 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Belfield by $308 a year, $3,613 against $3,921.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,300 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 | Belfield cumulative | Lakemba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,838 | $9,146 | $308 |
| Year 3 | $27,317 | $28,269 | $952 |
| Year 5 | $46,922 | $48,557 | $1,635 |
| Year 10 | $101,318 | $104,849 | $3,531 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Belfield or Lakemba cheaper to live in?
Belfield is cheaper to run by car at $8,838 per year versus $9,146 for Lakemba, a difference of $308 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Belfield and Lakemba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Belfield (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Lakemba (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Belfield and $1,548 in Lakemba. 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 Belfield and Lakemba?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,613 from Belfield and $3,921 from Lakemba to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Belfield and $2,386 from Lakemba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Belfield and Lakemba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Belfield costs a cumulative $101,318 and Lakemba costs $104,849 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,531 in favour of Belfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Belfield and Lakemba 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: Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG and Canterbury-Bankstown 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.