Belmore vs Lakemba: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Belmore and Lakemba are both Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 12.4 km and 13.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $251 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 →Belmore
Lakemba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Belmore | Lakemba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,541 | $3,792 | -$251 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,766 | $9,017 | -$251 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,611 | $7,611 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Belmore | Lakemba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Belmore vs Lakemba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Belmore and Lakemba cost within $251 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,878, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $251 per year. Lakemba is 13.5 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,611 and $7,611 a year, so the $251 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Belmore cumulative | Lakemba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,766 | $9,017 | $251 |
| Year 3 | $27,095 | $27,871 | $776 |
| Year 5 | $46,540 | $47,872 | $1,332 |
| Year 10 | $100,492 | $103,370 | $2,878 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Belmore or Lakemba cheaper to live in?
Belmore is cheaper to run by car at $8,766 per year versus $9,017 for Lakemba, a difference of $251 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Belmore and Lakemba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Belmore (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Lakemba (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Belmore 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 Belmore and Lakemba?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,541 from Belmore and $3,792 from Lakemba to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Belmore and $2,386 from Lakemba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Belmore and Lakemba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Belmore costs a cumulative $100,492 and Lakemba costs $103,370 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,878 in favour of Belmore. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Belmore 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.