Knights Hill vs Tongarra, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Knights Hill (Kiama rates (OLG) and Tongarra (Shellharbour rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (95.2 km and 93.2 km).
The two sit within $231 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, Tongarra costs about $2,600 less to run than Knights Hill. That's about $5 a week.
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Tongarra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Knights Hill | Tongarra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,959 | $1,865 | +$94 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,158 | $4,071 | +$87 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,800 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,515 | $9,284 | +$231 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,757 | $7,613 | +$144 |
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 | Knights Hill | Tongarra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,442 | +$278 |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,001 | +$208 |
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, Knights Hill vs Tongarra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Knights Hill and Tongarra cost within $231 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,648, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $94 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,757 and $7,613 a year, so the $231 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Tongarra by $94 a year, $1,865 against $1,959.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Tongarra by $87 a year, $4,071 against $4,158.
- Building insurance favours Tongarra by $50 a year, $1,800 against $1,850.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Knights Hill cumulative | Tongarra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,515 | $9,284 | $231 |
| Year 3 | $29,410 | $28,696 | $714 |
| Year 5 | $50,516 | $49,290 | $1,226 |
| Year 10 | $109,079 | $106,431 | $2,648 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Knights Hill or Tongarra cheaper to live in?
Tongarra is cheaper to run by car at $9,284 per year versus $9,515 for Knights Hill, a difference of $231 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Knights Hill and Tongarra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,959 in Knights Hill (Kiama rates (OLG) and $1,865 in Tongarra (Shellharbour rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Knights Hill and $1,548 in Tongarra. 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 Knights Hill and Tongarra?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,158 from Knights Hill and $4,071 from Tongarra to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Knights Hill and $2,400 from Tongarra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Knights Hill and Tongarra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Knights Hill costs a cumulative $109,079 and Tongarra costs $106,431 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,648 in favour of Tongarra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Knights Hill and Tongarra suits you better?
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Sources: Kiama rates (OLG and Shellharbour 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.