Dolphin Point vs Kings Point, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dolphin Point and Kings Point are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kings Point runs $700 a year cheaper than Dolphin Point, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,025.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $8,000, about $15 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Kings Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dolphin Point | Kings Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $1,550 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,297 | $22,597 | +$700 |
| Total (public transport) | $23,297 | $22,597 | +$700 |
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 | Dolphin Point | Kings Point | 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, Dolphin Point vs Kings Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dolphin Point and Kings Point differ by $700 a year by car, but $700 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $0, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Dolphin Point carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $23,297 from Dolphin Point versus $22,597 from Kings Point.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,547 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Kings Point by $700 a year, $1,550 against $2,250.
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 the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Dolphin Point against low in Kings Point, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dolphin Point cumulative | Kings Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,297 | $22,597 | $700 |
| Year 3 | $72,009 | $69,845 | $2,164 |
| Year 5 | $123,687 | $119,971 | $3,716 |
| Year 10 | $267,074 | $259,049 | $8,025 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dolphin Point or Kings Point cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Dolphin Point runs $23,297 a year by car and Kings Point $22,597, but most of the $700 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $0. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dolphin Point and Kings Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Dolphin Point (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Kings Point (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Dolphin Point and $1,300 in Kings Point. 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 Dolphin Point and Kings Point?
Dolphin Point carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Kings Point carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dolphin Point and Kings Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dolphin Point costs a cumulative $267,074 and Kings Point costs $259,049 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,025 in favour of Kings Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dolphin Point and Kings Point suits you better?
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Sources: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Shoalhaven 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.