Knights Hill vs Yellow Rock Ridge, 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 Yellow Rock Ridge (Shellharbour rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (95.2 km and 92.6 km).
The two sit within $258 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, Yellow Rock Ridge costs about $3,000 less to run than Knights Hill. That's about $6 a week.
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Yellow Rock Ridge
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Knights Hill | Yellow Rock Ridge | 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 | $4,044 | +$114 |
| 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 | $9,257 | +$258 |
| 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 | Yellow Rock Ridge | 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 Yellow Rock Ridge (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Knights Hill and Yellow Rock Ridge cost within $258 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,958, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $114 per year. Knights Hill is 95.2 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, $7,757 and $7,613 a year, so the $258 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Yellow Rock Ridge by $94 a year, $1,865 against $1,959.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Yellow Rock Ridge by $114 a year, $4,044 against $4,158.
- Building insurance favours Yellow Rock Ridge 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 | Yellow Rock Ridge cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,515 | $9,257 | $258 |
| Year 3 | $29,410 | $28,612 | $798 |
| Year 5 | $50,516 | $49,147 | $1,369 |
| Year 10 | $109,079 | $106,121 | $2,958 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Knights Hill or Yellow Rock Ridge cheaper to live in?
Yellow Rock Ridge is cheaper to run by car at $9,257 per year versus $9,515 for Knights Hill, a difference of $258 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 Yellow Rock Ridge?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,959 in Knights Hill (Kiama rates (OLG) and $1,865 in Yellow Rock Ridge (Shellharbour rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Knights Hill and $1,548 in Yellow Rock Ridge. 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 Yellow Rock Ridge?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,158 from Knights Hill and $4,044 from Yellow Rock Ridge to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Knights Hill and $2,400 from Yellow Rock Ridge.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Knights Hill and Yellow Rock Ridge?
At 3% annual cost growth, Knights Hill costs a cumulative $109,079 and Yellow Rock Ridge costs $106,121 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,958 in favour of Yellow Rock Ridge. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Knights Hill and Yellow Rock Ridge 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.