Haywards Bay 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
Haywards Bay (Wollongong rates (OLG) and Oak Flats (Shellharbour rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (84.4 km and 84.9 km).
The two sit within $233 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here — the decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Haywards Bay
Oak Flats
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Haywards Bay | Oak Flats | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,865 | -$46 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,565 | $3,586 | -$21 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,032 | $9,799 | +$233 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,867 | $8,613 | +$254 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Haywards Bay | 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 — Haywards Bay vs Oak Flats (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Haywards Bay and Oak Flats cost within $233 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,671, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Haywards Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $254 per year, $8,867 from Haywards Bay versus $8,613 from Oak Flats.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Haywards Bay cumulative | Oak Flats cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,032 | $9,799 | $233 |
| Year 3 | $31,008 | $30,288 | $720 |
| Year 5 | $53,261 | $52,024 | $1,237 |
| Year 10 | $115,006 | $112,335 | $2,671 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Haywards Bay or Oak Flats cheaper to live in?
Oak Flats is cheaper to run by car at $9,799 per year versus $10,032 for Haywards Bay, a difference of $233 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Haywards Bay and Oak Flats?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Haywards Bay (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,865 in Oak Flats (Shellharbour rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Haywards Bay 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 Haywards Bay and Oak Flats?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,565 from Haywards Bay and $3,586 from Oak Flats to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Haywards Bay and $2,400 from Oak Flats.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Haywards Bay and Oak Flats?
At 3% annual cost growth, Haywards Bay costs a cumulative $115,006 and Oak Flats costs $112,335 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,671 in favour of Oak Flats. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Haywards Bay 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: Wollongong 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.