Lake Heights vs Primbee: 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 Primbee are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 75.4 km and 76.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lake Heights runs $1,009 a year cheaper than Primbee, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,567.
Over 10 years, Lake Heights costs about $11,600 less to run than Primbee — the same as paying $11,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Lake Heights
Primbee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lake Heights | Primbee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,185 | $3,244 | -$59 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $3,100 | -$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,702 | $9,711 | -$1,009 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,917 | $8,867 | -$950 |
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 | Primbee | 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 Primbee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lake Heights costs $1,009 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,567 in favour of Lake Heights.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. Primbee carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $950 per year, $7,917 from Lake Heights versus $8,867 from Primbee.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lake Heights cumulative | Primbee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,702 | $9,711 | $1,009 |
| Year 3 | $26,897 | $30,016 | $3,119 |
| Year 5 | $46,200 | $51,557 | $5,357 |
| Year 10 | $99,759 | $111,326 | $11,567 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Heights or Primbee cheaper to live in?
Lake Heights is cheaper to run by car at $8,702 per year versus $9,711 for Primbee, a difference of $1,009 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 Primbee?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Lake Heights (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Primbee (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Lake Heights and $1,548 in Primbee. 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 Primbee?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,185 from Lake Heights and $3,244 from Primbee to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lake Heights and $2,400 from Primbee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lake Heights and Primbee?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lake Heights costs a cumulative $99,759 and Primbee costs $111,326 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,567 in favour of Lake Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lake Heights and Primbee 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.