Keiraville vs West Wollongong, 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 West Wollongong are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 68 km and 69.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $278 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, West Wollongong costs about $3,200 less to run than Keiraville. That's about $6 a week.
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West Wollongong
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Keiraville | West Wollongong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,565 | $3,187 | +$378 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,300 | $1,400 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,232 | $7,954 | +$278 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,067 | $7,167 | -$100 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Keiraville | West Wollongong | 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 West Wollongong (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Keiraville and West Wollongong cost within $278 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,187, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $378 per year. West Wollongong is 69.5 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, $7,067 and $7,167 a year, so the $278 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 West Wollongong by $378 a year, $3,187 against $3,565.
- Building insurance favours Keiraville by $100 a year, $1,300 against $1,400.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in West Wollongong against low in Keiraville, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Keiraville against low in West Wollongong, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Keiraville cumulative | West Wollongong cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,232 | $7,954 | $278 |
| Year 3 | $25,444 | $24,585 | $859 |
| Year 5 | $43,705 | $42,229 | $1,476 |
| Year 10 | $94,371 | $91,184 | $3,187 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Keiraville or West Wollongong cheaper to live in?
West Wollongong is cheaper to run by car at $7,954 per year versus $8,232 for Keiraville, a difference of $278 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Keiraville and West Wollongong?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Keiraville (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in West Wollongong (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Keiraville and $1,548 in West Wollongong. 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 West Wollongong?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,565 from Keiraville and $3,187 from West Wollongong to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Keiraville and $2,400 from West Wollongong.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Keiraville and West Wollongong?
At 3% annual cost growth, Keiraville costs a cumulative $94,371 and West Wollongong costs $91,184 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,187 in favour of West Wollongong. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Keiraville and West Wollongong suits you better?
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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.