Comerong Island vs Shoalhaven Heads: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Comerong Island and Shoalhaven Heads are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 121.1 km and 118.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Comerong Island
Shoalhaven Heads
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Comerong Island | Shoalhaven Heads | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,547 | $23,547 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,347 | $8,347 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Comerong Island | Shoalhaven Heads | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Comerong Island vs Shoalhaven Heads (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Comerong Island and Shoalhaven Heads cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,347 and $8,347 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Comerong Island cumulative | Shoalhaven Heads cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,547 | $23,547 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,781 | $72,781 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $125,014 | $125,014 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $269,940 | $269,940 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Comerong Island or Shoalhaven Heads cheaper to live in?
Comerong Island is cheaper to run by car at $23,547 per year versus $23,547 for Shoalhaven Heads, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Comerong Island and Shoalhaven Heads?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Comerong Island (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Shoalhaven Heads (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Comerong Island and $1,300 in Shoalhaven Heads. 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 Comerong Island and Shoalhaven Heads?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Comerong Island and $17,600 from Shoalhaven Heads to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Comerong Island and $2,400 from Shoalhaven Heads.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Comerong Island and Shoalhaven Heads?
At 3% annual cost growth, Comerong Island costs a cumulative $269,940 and Shoalhaven Heads costs $269,940 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Comerong Island. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Comerong Island and Shoalhaven Heads 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: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Shoalhaven 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.