Lakemba vs Wiley Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lakemba and Wiley Park are both Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 13.5 km and 14.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $230 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. 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 →Lakemba
Wiley Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lakemba | Wiley Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,792 | $4,012 | -$220 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,017 | $8,787 | +$230 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,611 | $7,161 | +$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 | Lakemba | Wiley Park | 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 — Lakemba vs Wiley Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lakemba and Wiley Park cost within $230 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,637, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Lakemba carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,611 from Lakemba versus $7,161 from Wiley Park.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lakemba cumulative | Wiley Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,017 | $8,787 | $230 |
| Year 3 | $27,871 | $27,160 | $711 |
| Year 5 | $47,872 | $46,651 | $1,221 |
| Year 10 | $103,370 | $100,733 | $2,637 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lakemba or Wiley Park cheaper to live in?
Wiley Park is cheaper to run by car at $8,787 per year versus $9,017 for Lakemba, a difference of $230 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lakemba and Wiley Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Lakemba (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Wiley Park (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Lakemba and $1,548 in Wiley Park. 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 Lakemba and Wiley Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,792 from Lakemba and $4,012 from Wiley Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Lakemba and $2,386 from Wiley Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lakemba and Wiley Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lakemba costs a cumulative $103,370 and Wiley Park costs $100,733 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,637 in favour of Wiley Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lakemba and Wiley Park 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: Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG and Canterbury-Bankstown 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.