Lake Illawarra vs Windang, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lake Illawarra (Shellharbour rates (OLG) and Windang (Wollongong rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (81.3 km and 79.7 km).
The two sit within $85 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 these two cost about the same to run.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Lake Illawarra
Windang
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lake Illawarra | Windang | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,865 | $1,819 | +$46 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,551 | $3,482 | +$69 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,300 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,064 | $9,149 | -$85 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,913 | $8,067 | -$154 |
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 | Lake Illawarra | Windang | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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, Lake Illawarra vs Windang (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lake Illawarra and Windang cost within $85 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $974, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year. Windang carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,913 and $8,067 a year, so the $85 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Windang by $46 a year, $1,819 against $1,865.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Windang by $69 a year, $3,482 against $3,551.
- Building insurance favours Lake Illawarra by $200 a year, $2,100 against $2,300.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Windang against low in Lake Illawarra, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lake Illawarra cumulative | Windang cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,064 | $9,149 | $85 |
| Year 3 | $28,016 | $28,279 | $263 |
| Year 5 | $48,122 | $48,573 | $451 |
| Year 10 | $103,909 | $104,883 | $974 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Illawarra or Windang cheaper to live in?
Lake Illawarra is cheaper to run by car at $9,064 per year versus $9,149 for Windang, a difference of $85 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lake Illawarra and Windang?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,865 in Lake Illawarra (Shellharbour rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Windang (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Lake Illawarra and $1,548 in Windang. 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 Illawarra and Windang?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,551 from Lake Illawarra and $3,482 from Windang to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lake Illawarra and $2,400 from Windang.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lake Illawarra and Windang?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lake Illawarra costs a cumulative $103,909 and Windang costs $104,883 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $974 in favour of Lake Illawarra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lake Illawarra and Windang suits you better?
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: Shellharbour rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.