Mount Keira vs West Wollongong, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Keira and West Wollongong are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 68.6 km and 69.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
West Wollongong runs $379 a year cheaper than Mount Keira, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,345.
Over 10 years, West Wollongong costs about $4,300 less to run than Mount Keira. That's about $8 a week.
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West Wollongong
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Keira | West Wollongong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,416 | $3,187 | +$229 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,400 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,333 | $7,954 | +$379 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,317 | $7,167 | +$150 |
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 | Mount Keira | West Wollongong | 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, Mount Keira vs West Wollongong (2026-27)
What the numbers show
West Wollongong costs $379 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,345 in favour of West Wollongong.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $229 per year. West Wollongong is 69.5 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,317 and $7,167 a year, so the $379 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,819 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours West Wollongong by $229 a year, $3,187 against $3,416.
- Building insurance favours West Wollongong by $150 a year, $1,400 against $1,550.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in West Wollongong against low in Mount Keira, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Mount Keira against low in West Wollongong, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Keira cumulative | West Wollongong cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,333 | $7,954 | $379 |
| Year 3 | $25,756 | $24,585 | $1,171 |
| Year 5 | $44,241 | $42,229 | $2,012 |
| Year 10 | $95,529 | $91,184 | $4,345 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Keira or West Wollongong cheaper to live in?
West Wollongong is cheaper to run by car at $7,954 per year versus $8,333 for Mount Keira, a difference of $379 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Keira and West Wollongong?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Mount Keira (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in West Wollongong (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Mount Keira and $1,548 in West Wollongong. 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 Mount Keira and West Wollongong?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,416 from Mount Keira and $3,187 from West Wollongong to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mount Keira and $2,400 from West Wollongong.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Keira and West Wollongong?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Keira costs a cumulative $95,529 and West Wollongong costs $91,184 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,345 in favour of West Wollongong. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Keira and West Wollongong suits you better?
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Sources: Wollongong 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.