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 $1,100 a year cheaper than Dolphin Point, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,610.
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) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $2,400 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $24,547 | $23,447 | +$1,100 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,747 | $7,647 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/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 | $2,720 | $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
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 $12,610 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.
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 $1,100 a year, $2,400 against $3,500.
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 | $24,547 | $23,447 | $1,100 |
| Year 3 | $75,872 | $72,472 | $3,400 |
| Year 5 | $130,323 | $124,483 | $5,840 |
| Year 10 | $281,404 | $268,794 | $12,610 |
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 $23,447 per year versus $24,547 for Dolphin Point, a difference of $1,100 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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?
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. 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 $281,404 and Kings Point costs $268,794 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,610 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.