Lake Albert vs Tolland: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lake Albert and Tolland are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 378.9 km and 380.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tolland runs $450 a year cheaper than Lake Albert, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,159.
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 →Lake Albert
Tolland
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lake Albert | Tolland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $1,700 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,344 | $21,894 | +$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,144 | $6,694 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lake Albert | Tolland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,453 | $2,453 | - |
| Unit | $1,944 | $1,944 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Lake Albert vs Tolland (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tolland costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,159 in favour of Tolland.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Lake Albert carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,144 from Lake Albert versus $6,694 from Tolland.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lake Albert cumulative | Tolland cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,344 | $21,894 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $69,063 | $67,672 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $118,627 | $116,238 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $256,149 | $250,990 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Albert or Tolland cheaper to live in?
Tolland is cheaper to run by car at $21,894 per year versus $22,344 for Lake Albert, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lake Albert and Tolland?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Lake Albert (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Tolland (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lake Albert and $1,300 in Tolland. 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 Lake Albert and Tolland?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Lake Albert and $17,600 from Tolland to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lake Albert and $2,400 from Tolland.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lake Albert and Tolland?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lake Albert costs a cumulative $256,149 and Tolland costs $250,990 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of Tolland. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lake Albert and Tolland 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.
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Sources: Wagga Wagga rates (OLG and Wagga Wagga rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.