Keiraville vs Mount Ousley: 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 Ousley are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 68 km and 66.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Keiraville runs $540 a year cheaper than Mount Ousley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,190.
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 Ousley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Keiraville | Mount Ousley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,447 | $3,837 | -$390 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,150 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,814 | $9,354 | -$540 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,767 | $7,917 | -$150 |
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 Ousley | 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 Ousley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Keiraville costs $540 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,190 in favour of Keiraville.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $390 per year. Keiraville is 68 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,767 and $7,917 a year, so the $540 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Keiraville cumulative | Mount Ousley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,814 | $9,354 | $540 |
| Year 3 | $27,243 | $28,912 | $1,669 |
| Year 5 | $46,795 | $49,662 | $2,867 |
| Year 10 | $101,043 | $107,233 | $6,190 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Keiraville or Mount Ousley cheaper to live in?
Keiraville is cheaper to run by car at $8,814 per year versus $9,354 for Mount Ousley, a difference of $540 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 Ousley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Keiraville (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Mount Ousley (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Keiraville and $1,548 in Mount Ousley. 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 Ousley?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,447 from Keiraville and $3,837 from Mount Ousley to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Keiraville and $2,400 from Mount Ousley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Keiraville and Mount Ousley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Keiraville costs a cumulative $101,043 and Mount Ousley costs $107,233 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,190 in favour of Keiraville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Keiraville and Mount Ousley 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.
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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.