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Council rates: 2026-27 · Water & commute: 2025-26 · Sources: council websites, QUU, ATO, ABS

Morts Estate vs Oakey 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

Morts Estate and Oakey Park are both Lithgow rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 106 km and 104.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.

The verdict
Morts Estate is the cheaper suburb to live in

Morts Estate runs $400 a year cheaper than Oakey Park, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.

$400difference per year
$4,586over 10 years
home insurancebiggest cost driver

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 →

Morts Estate

2790 · Lithgow rates (OLG · 106 km from CBD
$22,086
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$6,886
School score4.4/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Oakey Park

2790 · Lithgow rates (OLG · 104.6 km from CBD
$22,486
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$7,286
School score4.4/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Annual cost breakdown

CategoryMorts EstateOakey ParkDifference
Council rates$1,186$1,186-
Water & sewerage$1,300$1,300-
Commute (driving)$17,600$17,600-
Commute (public transport)$2,400$2,400-
Home insurance$2,000$2,400-$400
Body corporate (unit)$1,800$1,800-
Total (driving)$22,086$22,486-$400
Total (public transport)$6,886$7,286-$400

Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).

Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
DwellingMorts EstateOakey ParkDifference
House$2,554$2,554-
Unit$2,020$2,020-

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 — Morts Estate vs Oakey Park (2026-27)

What the numbers show

Morts Estate costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Morts Estate.

The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.

On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $6,886 from Morts Estate versus $7,286 from Oakey Park.

10-year cumulative cost projection

YearMorts Estate cumulativeOakey Park cumulativeDifference
Year 1$22,086$22,486$400
Year 3$68,266$69,502$1,236
Year 5$117,258$119,381$2,123
Year 10$253,191$257,777$4,586

Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Is Morts Estate or Oakey Park cheaper to live in?

    Morts Estate is cheaper to run by car at $22,086 per year versus $22,486 for Oakey Park, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.

  2. What are council rates in Morts Estate and Oakey Park?

    Annual council rates for a house are $1,186 in Morts Estate (Lithgow rates (OLG) and $1,186 in Oakey Park (Lithgow rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Morts Estate and $1,300 in Oakey Park. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.

  3. How does the commute cost compare between Morts Estate and Oakey Park?

    Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Morts Estate and $17,600 from Oakey Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Morts Estate and $2,400 from Oakey Park.

  4. What is the 10-year cost difference between Morts Estate and Oakey Park?

    At 3% annual cost growth, Morts Estate costs a cumulative $253,191 and Oakey Park costs $257,777 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Morts Estate. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Which of Morts Estate and Oakey 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.

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Related comparisons

Sources: Lithgow rates (OLG and Lithgow 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.