Croom vs Oak Flats: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Croom and Oak Flats are both Shellharbour rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 88.8 km and 84.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Croom runs $635 a year cheaper than Oak Flats, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,280.
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 →Croom
Oak Flats
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Croom | Oak Flats | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,865 | $1,865 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,751 | $3,586 | +$165 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,800 | -$800 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,164 | $9,799 | -$635 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,813 | $8,613 | -$800 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Croom | Oak Flats | 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 — Croom vs Oak Flats (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Croom costs $635 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,280 in favour of Croom.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $800 per year. Oak Flats carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $800 per year, $7,813 from Croom versus $8,613 from Oak Flats.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Croom cumulative | Oak Flats cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,164 | $9,799 | $635 |
| Year 3 | $28,325 | $30,288 | $1,963 |
| Year 5 | $48,653 | $52,024 | $3,371 |
| Year 10 | $105,055 | $112,335 | $7,280 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Croom or Oak Flats cheaper to live in?
Croom is cheaper to run by car at $9,164 per year versus $9,799 for Oak Flats, a difference of $635 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Croom and Oak Flats?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,865 in Croom (Shellharbour rates (OLG) and $1,865 in Oak Flats (Shellharbour rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Croom and $1,548 in Oak Flats. 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 Croom and Oak Flats?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,751 from Croom and $3,586 from Oak Flats to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Croom and $2,400 from Oak Flats.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Croom and Oak Flats?
At 3% annual cost growth, Croom costs a cumulative $105,055 and Oak Flats costs $112,335 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,280 in favour of Croom. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Croom and Oak Flats 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: Shellharbour rates (OLG and Shellharbour 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.