Belmore 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
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 $259 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, Belmore costs about $3,000 less to run than Lakemba. That's about $6 a week.
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Lakemba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Belmore | Lakemba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,662 | $3,921 | -$259 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,437 | $8,696 | -$259 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,161 | $7,161 | - |
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 | Belmore | 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, Belmore vs Lakemba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Belmore and Lakemba cost within $259 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,969, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $259 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, $7,161 and $7,161 a year, so the $259 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 Belmore by $259 a year, $3,662 against $3,921.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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 | Belmore cumulative | Lakemba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,437 | $8,696 | $259 |
| Year 3 | $26,078 | $26,878 | $800 |
| Year 5 | $44,793 | $46,168 | $1,375 |
| Year 10 | $96,721 | $99,690 | $2,969 |
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 $8,437 per year versus $8,696 for Lakemba, a difference of $259 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $3,662 from Belmore and $3,921 from Lakemba to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $96,721 and Lakemba costs $99,690 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,969 in favour of Belmore. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Belmore and Lakemba suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.