Lake Heights vs Port Kembla: 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 Heights and Port Kembla are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 75.4 km and 73.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lake Heights runs $587 a year cheaper than Port Kembla, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,729.
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 Heights
Port Kembla
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lake Heights | Port Kembla | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,185 | $3,122 | +$63 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,800 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,702 | $9,289 | -$587 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,917 | $8,567 | -$650 |
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 Heights | Port Kembla | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 Heights vs Port Kembla (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lake Heights costs $587 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,729 in favour of Lake Heights.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Port Kembla carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,917 from Lake Heights versus $8,567 from Port Kembla.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lake Heights cumulative | Port Kembla cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,702 | $9,289 | $587 |
| Year 3 | $26,897 | $28,711 | $1,814 |
| Year 5 | $46,200 | $49,317 | $3,117 |
| Year 10 | $99,759 | $106,488 | $6,729 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Heights or Port Kembla cheaper to live in?
Lake Heights is cheaper to run by car at $8,702 per year versus $9,289 for Port Kembla, a difference of $587 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lake Heights and Port Kembla?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Lake Heights (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Port Kembla (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Lake Heights and $1,548 in Port 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 Lake Heights and Port Kembla?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,185 from Lake Heights and $3,122 from Port Kembla to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lake Heights and $2,400 from Port Kembla.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lake Heights and Port Kembla?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lake Heights costs a cumulative $99,759 and Port Kembla costs $106,488 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,729 in favour of Lake Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lake Heights and Port 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.