Keiraville vs Mount Pleasant: 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 Pleasant 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 $403 a year cheaper than Mount Pleasant, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,620.
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 Pleasant
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Keiraville | Mount Pleasant | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,565 | $3,968 | -$403 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,932 | $9,335 | -$403 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,767 | $7,767 | - |
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 Pleasant | 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 Pleasant (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Keiraville costs $403 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,620 in favour of Keiraville.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $403 per year. Keiraville is 68 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, $7,767 and $7,767 a year, so the $403 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 Keiraville by $403 a year, $3,565 against $3,968.
- 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Keiraville cumulative | Mount Pleasant cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,932 | $9,335 | $403 |
| Year 3 | $27,608 | $28,854 | $1,246 |
| Year 5 | $47,421 | $49,561 | $2,140 |
| Year 10 | $102,395 | $107,015 | $4,620 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Keiraville or Mount Pleasant cheaper to live in?
Keiraville is cheaper to run by car at $8,932 per year versus $9,335 for Mount Pleasant, a difference of $403 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 Pleasant?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Keiraville (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Mount Pleasant (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Keiraville and $1,548 in Mount Pleasant. 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 Pleasant?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,565 from Keiraville and $3,968 from Mount Pleasant to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Keiraville and $2,400 from Mount Pleasant.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Keiraville and Mount Pleasant?
At 3% annual cost growth, Keiraville costs a cumulative $102,395 and Mount Pleasant costs $107,015 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,620 in favour of Keiraville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Keiraville and Mount Pleasant 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.