Kapooka vs Lloyd: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kapooka and Lloyd are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 8.5 km and 5.4 km from Wagga Wagga CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lloyd runs $895 a year cheaper than Kapooka, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,261.
Over 10 years, Lloyd costs about $10,300 less to run than Kapooka — the same as paying $10,300 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 →Kapooka
Lloyd
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kapooka | Lloyd | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,655 | $1,760 | +$895 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,249 | $6,354 | +$895 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,994 | $6,994 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kapooka | Lloyd | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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 — Kapooka vs Lloyd (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lloyd costs $895 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,261 in favour of Lloyd.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $895 per year. Kapooka is 8.5 km from Wagga Wagga CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,994 and $6,994 a year, so the $895 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,294 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Lloyd by $895 a year, $1,760 against $2,655.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,000 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 6.1 in Kapooka against 1.8 in Lloyd, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kapooka cumulative | Lloyd cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,249 | $6,354 | $895 |
| Year 3 | $22,406 | $19,640 | $2,766 |
| Year 5 | $38,486 | $33,734 | $4,752 |
| Year 10 | $83,102 | $72,841 | $10,261 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kapooka or Lloyd cheaper to live in?
Lloyd is cheaper to run by car at $6,354 per year versus $7,249 for Kapooka, a difference of $895 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kapooka and Lloyd?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Kapooka (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Lloyd (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Kapooka and $1,300 in Lloyd. 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 Kapooka and Lloyd?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,655 from Kapooka and $1,760 from Lloyd to Wagga Wagga CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kapooka and $2,400 from Lloyd.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kapooka and Lloyd?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kapooka costs a cumulative $83,102 and Lloyd costs $72,841 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,261 in favour of Lloyd. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kapooka and Lloyd 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: Wagga Wagga rates (OLG and Wagga Wagga 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.