Belimbla Park vs The Oaks: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Belimbla Park and The Oaks are both Wollondilly rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 66.5 km and 65.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $249 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 →Belimbla Park
The Oaks
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Belimbla Park | The Oaks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,195 | $2,195 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,921 | $4,170 | -$249 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,664 | $9,913 | -$249 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,143 | $8,143 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Belimbla Park | The Oaks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Belimbla Park vs The Oaks (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Belimbla Park and The Oaks cost within $249 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,854, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $249 per year. Belimbla Park is 66.5 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, $8,143 and $8,143 a year, so the $249 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,195 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Belimbla Park by $249 a year, $3,921 against $4,170.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,000 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 | Belimbla Park cumulative | The Oaks cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,664 | $9,913 | $249 |
| Year 3 | $29,870 | $30,640 | $770 |
| Year 5 | $51,307 | $52,629 | $1,322 |
| Year 10 | $110,787 | $113,641 | $2,854 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Belimbla Park or The Oaks cheaper to live in?
Belimbla Park is cheaper to run by car at $9,664 per year versus $9,913 for The Oaks, a difference of $249 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Belimbla Park and The Oaks?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,195 in Belimbla Park (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and $2,195 in The Oaks (Wollondilly rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Belimbla Park and $1,548 in The Oaks. 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 Belimbla Park and The Oaks?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,921 from Belimbla Park and $4,170 from The Oaks to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Belimbla Park and $2,400 from The Oaks.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Belimbla Park and The Oaks?
At 3% annual cost growth, Belimbla Park costs a cumulative $110,787 and The Oaks costs $113,641 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,854 in favour of Belimbla Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Belimbla Park and The Oaks 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: Wollondilly rates (OLG and Wollondilly 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.