Dolphin Point vs Kings Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dolphin Point and Kings Point are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 184.4 km and 181.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kings Point runs $1,100 a year cheaper than Dolphin Point, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,611.
Over 10 years, Kings Point costs about $12,600 less to run than Dolphin Point — the same as paying $12,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Dolphin Point
Kings Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dolphin Point | Kings Point | 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 | $3,500 | $2,400 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,947 | $22,847 | +$1,100 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,747 | $7,647 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Dolphin Point | Kings Point | 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 — Dolphin Point vs Kings Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kings Point costs $1,100 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,611 in favour of Kings Point.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Dolphin Point carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $8,747 from Dolphin Point versus $7,647 from Kings Point.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dolphin Point cumulative | Kings Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,947 | $22,847 | $1,100 |
| Year 3 | $74,018 | $70,618 | $3,400 |
| Year 5 | $127,138 | $121,298 | $5,840 |
| Year 10 | $274,526 | $261,915 | $12,611 |
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?
Kings Point is cheaper to run by car at $22,847 per year versus $23,947 for Dolphin Point, a difference of $1,100 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. 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?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Dolphin Point and $17,600 from Kings Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dolphin Point and $2,400 from Kings Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dolphin Point and Kings Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dolphin Point costs a cumulative $274,526 and Kings Point costs $261,915 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,611 in favour of Kings Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dolphin Point and Kings Point 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.