Keiraville vs Mount Keira: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $256 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) | $3,447 | $3,303 | +$144 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,814 | $9,070 | -$256 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,767 | $8,167 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Keiraville | Mount Keira | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $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 — Keiraville vs Mount Keira (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Keiraville and Mount Keira cost within $256 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,934, 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Keiraville cumulative | Mount Keira cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,814 | $9,070 | $256 |
| Year 3 | $27,243 | $28,034 | $791 |
| Year 5 | $46,795 | $48,154 | $1,359 |
| Year 10 | $101,043 | $103,977 | $2,934 |
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 $8,814 per year versus $9,070 for Mount Keira, a difference of $256 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $3,447 from Keiraville and $3,303 from Mount Keira to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $101,043 and Mount Keira costs $103,977 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,934 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.