Farmborough Heights vs Kembla Grange: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Farmborough Heights and Kembla Grange are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 74.5 km and 76.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Farmborough Heights runs $1,187 a year cheaper than Kembla Grange, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,608.
Over 10 years, Farmborough Heights costs about $13,600 less to run than Kembla Grange — the same as paying $13,600 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 →Farmborough Heights
Kembla Grange
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Farmborough Heights | Kembla Grange | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,254 | $3,341 | -$87 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $3,100 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,621 | $9,808 | -$1,187 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,767 | $8,867 | -$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 | Farmborough Heights | Kembla Grange | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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 — Farmborough Heights vs Kembla Grange (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Farmborough Heights costs $1,187 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,608 in favour of Farmborough Heights.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Kembla Grange carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $7,767 from Farmborough Heights versus $8,867 from Kembla Grange.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,819 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Farmborough Heights by $87 a year, $3,254 against $3,341.
- Building insurance favours Farmborough Heights by $1,100 a year, $2,000 against $3,100.
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 commute distance and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Kembla Grange against low in Farmborough Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Farmborough Heights cumulative | Kembla Grange cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,621 | $9,808 | $1,187 |
| Year 3 | $26,647 | $30,316 | $3,669 |
| Year 5 | $45,770 | $52,072 | $6,302 |
| Year 10 | $98,830 | $112,438 | $13,608 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Farmborough Heights or Kembla Grange cheaper to live in?
Farmborough Heights is cheaper to run by car at $8,621 per year versus $9,808 for Kembla Grange, a difference of $1,187 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Farmborough Heights and Kembla Grange?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Farmborough Heights (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Kembla Grange (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Farmborough Heights and $1,548 in Kembla Grange. 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 Farmborough Heights and Kembla Grange?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,254 from Farmborough Heights and $3,341 from Kembla Grange to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Farmborough Heights and $2,400 from Kembla Grange.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Farmborough Heights and Kembla Grange?
At 3% annual cost growth, Farmborough Heights costs a cumulative $98,830 and Kembla Grange costs $112,438 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,608 in favour of Farmborough Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Farmborough Heights and Kembla Grange 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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.