Kilaben Bay vs Rathmines, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kilaben Bay and Rathmines are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 100 km and 98.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rathmines runs $13,889 a year cheaper than Kilaben Bay, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $159,221.
Over 10 years, Rathmines costs about $159,200 less to run than Kilaben Bay. That's about $306 a week.
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Rathmines
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kilaben Bay | Rathmines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $4,311 | +$13,889 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $2,400 | +$15,800 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,600 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,940 | $9,051 | +$13,889 |
| Total (public transport) | $22,940 | $7,140 | +$15,800 |
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 | Kilaben Bay | Rathmines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Kilaben Bay vs Rathmines (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rathmines costs $13,889 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $159,221 in favour of Rathmines.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $13,889 per year. Kilaben Bay is 100 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $15,800 per year, $22,940 from Kilaben Bay versus $7,140 from Rathmines.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,763 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Rathmines by $13,889 a year, $4,311 against $18,200.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,600 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 | Kilaben Bay cumulative | Rathmines cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,940 | $9,051 | $13,889 |
| Year 3 | $70,905 | $27,976 | $42,929 |
| Year 5 | $121,792 | $48,053 | $73,739 |
| Year 10 | $262,981 | $103,760 | $159,221 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kilaben Bay or Rathmines cheaper to live in?
Rathmines is cheaper to run by car at $9,051 per year versus $22,940 for Kilaben Bay, a difference of $13,889 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kilaben Bay and Rathmines?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Kilaben Bay (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Rathmines (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Kilaben Bay and $1,377 in Rathmines. 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 Kilaben Bay and Rathmines?
Annual driving commute costs are $18,200 from Kilaben Bay and $4,311 from Rathmines to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Rathmines. No daily public transport commute is assumed from Kilaben Bay, so it is costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kilaben Bay and Rathmines?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kilaben Bay costs a cumulative $262,981 and Rathmines costs $103,760 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $159,221 in favour of Rathmines. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kilaben Bay and Rathmines suits you better?
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Sources: Lake Macquarie rates (OLG and Lake Macquarie 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.