Oak Flats vs Yallah: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Oak Flats (Shellharbour rates (OLG) and Yallah (Wollongong rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (84.9 km and 83.7 km).
The two sit within $203 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 →Oak Flats
Yallah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Oak Flats | Yallah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,865 | $1,819 | +$46 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,586 | $3,535 | +$51 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,799 | $10,002 | -$203 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,613 | $8,867 | -$254 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Oak Flats | Yallah | 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 — Oak Flats vs Yallah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Oak Flats and Yallah cost within $203 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,327, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Yallah carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $254 per year, $8,613 from Oak Flats versus $8,867 from Yallah.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Oak Flats cumulative | Yallah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,799 | $10,002 | $203 |
| Year 3 | $30,288 | $30,915 | $627 |
| Year 5 | $52,024 | $53,102 | $1,078 |
| Year 10 | $112,335 | $114,662 | $2,327 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oak Flats or Yallah cheaper to live in?
Oak Flats is cheaper to run by car at $9,799 per year versus $10,002 for Yallah, a difference of $203 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Oak Flats and Yallah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,865 in Oak Flats (Shellharbour rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Yallah (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Oak Flats and $1,548 in Yallah. 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 Oak Flats and Yallah?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,586 from Oak Flats and $3,535 from Yallah to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Oak Flats and $2,400 from Yallah.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Oak Flats and Yallah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Oak Flats costs a cumulative $112,335 and Yallah costs $114,662 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,327 in favour of Oak Flats. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Oak Flats and Yallah 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: Shellharbour 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.