Haywards Bay vs Yallah: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Haywards Bay and Yallah are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 84.4 km and 83.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $31 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
Yallah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Haywards Bay | Yallah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,687 | $3,656 | +$31 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,154 | $10,123 | +$31 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,867 | $8,867 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Haywards Bay | Yallah | 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 — Haywards Bay vs Yallah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Haywards Bay and Yallah cost within $31 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $355, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $31 per year. Haywards Bay is 84.4 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,867 and $8,867 a year, so the $31 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Yallah by $31 a year, $3,656 against $3,687.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,100 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 5.4 in Yallah against 3.4 in Haywards Bay, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Haywards Bay cumulative | Yallah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,154 | $10,123 | $31 |
| Year 3 | $31,385 | $31,289 | $96 |
| Year 5 | $53,909 | $53,744 | $165 |
| Year 10 | $116,404 | $116,049 | $355 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Haywards Bay or Yallah cheaper to live in?
Yallah is cheaper to run by car at $10,123 per year versus $10,154 for Haywards Bay, a difference of $31 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Haywards Bay and Yallah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Haywards Bay (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Yallah (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Haywards Bay and $1,548 in Yallah. 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 Yallah?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,687 from Haywards Bay and $3,656 from Yallah to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Haywards Bay and $2,400 from Yallah.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Haywards Bay and Yallah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Haywards Bay costs a cumulative $116,404 and Yallah costs $116,049 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $355 in favour of Yallah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Haywards Bay and Yallah 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.