Kembla Heights vs Mount Kembla: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kembla Heights and Mount Kembla are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 72.1 km and 71.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $18 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 →Kembla Heights
Mount Kembla
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kembla Heights | Mount Kembla | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,150 | $3,132 | +$18 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,917 | $8,899 | +$18 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,167 | $8,167 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kembla Heights | Mount Kembla | 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 — Kembla Heights vs Mount Kembla (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kembla Heights and Mount Kembla cost within $18 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $206, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $18 per year. Kembla Heights is 72.1 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, $8,167 and $8,167 a year, so the $18 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 Mount Kembla by $18 a year, $3,132 against $3,150.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,400 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 | Kembla Heights cumulative | Mount Kembla cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,917 | $8,899 | $18 |
| Year 3 | $27,562 | $27,506 | $56 |
| Year 5 | $47,342 | $47,246 | $96 |
| Year 10 | $102,223 | $102,017 | $206 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kembla Heights or Mount Kembla cheaper to live in?
Mount Kembla is cheaper to run by car at $8,899 per year versus $8,917 for Kembla Heights, a difference of $18 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kembla Heights and Mount Kembla?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Kembla Heights (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Mount Kembla (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kembla Heights and $1,548 in Mount Kembla. 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 Kembla Heights and Mount Kembla?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,150 from Kembla Heights and $3,132 from Mount Kembla to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kembla Heights and $2,400 from Mount Kembla.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kembla Heights and Mount Kembla?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kembla Heights costs a cumulative $102,223 and Mount Kembla costs $102,017 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $206 in favour of Mount Kembla. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kembla Heights and Mount Kembla 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.