Keiraville vs Mount Keira: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Keiraville and Mount Keira are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 68 km and 68.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $251 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 →Keiraville
Mount Keira
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Keiraville | Mount Keira | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,565 | $3,416 | +$149 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,932 | $9,183 | -$251 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,767 | $8,167 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Keiraville | Mount Keira | 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 — Keiraville vs Mount Keira (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Keiraville and Mount Keira cost within $251 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,878, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,767 from Keiraville versus $8,167 from Mount Keira.
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 Mount Keira by $149 a year, $3,416 against $3,565.
- Building insurance favours Keiraville by $400 a year, $2,000 against $2,400.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Mount Keira against medium in Keiraville, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Keiraville cumulative | Mount Keira cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,932 | $9,183 | $251 |
| Year 3 | $27,608 | $28,384 | $776 |
| Year 5 | $47,421 | $48,754 | $1,333 |
| Year 10 | $102,395 | $105,273 | $2,878 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Keiraville or Mount Keira cheaper to live in?
Keiraville is cheaper to run by car at $8,932 per year versus $9,183 for Mount Keira, a difference of $251 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Keiraville and Mount Keira?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Keiraville (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Mount Keira (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Keiraville and $1,548 in Mount Keira. 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 Keiraville and Mount Keira?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,565 from Keiraville and $3,416 from Mount Keira to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Keiraville and $2,400 from Mount Keira.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Keiraville and Mount Keira?
At 3% annual cost growth, Keiraville costs a cumulative $102,395 and Mount Keira costs $105,273 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,878 in favour of Keiraville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Keiraville and Mount Keira 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.