Living in a house in Sea Lake costs about $9,059 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Sea Lake sits 61.9 kilometres from Swan Hill CBD. Unit costs reach $9,499, with the $1,500 owners corporation levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. The commute is costed by car to Swan Hill, at $4,897 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.
About $174 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$9,499
Incl. owners corporation
$792/month
About $183 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$440
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Buloke rates
$1,239
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water
$1,473
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 61.9km from Swan Hill CBD · 192 days
$4,897
Home insurance
Estimated flood Medium · fire Medium
$1,450
Owners corporation
Estimated
$1,500
Total annual running cost
$9,059
($755/month, $174/week)
Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy on your rates notice: $139 a year plus 17.3 cents per $1,000 of your home's capital improved value (2026-27).
↑ 7% above Buloke Shire Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○6.1/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 67% of Buloke Shire Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost
typical 2-person household
House
$2,250/yr
6,186 kWh
Unit
$1,813/yr
4,640 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Sea Lake's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Sea Lake with another suburb
Nearby: No nearby suburbs with data found
Frequently asked questions about Sea Lake
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Sea Lake to Swan Hill CBD?
Public transport options are limited in Sea Lake; driving is the practical commute at $4,897 per year.
What are the council rates in Sea Lake?
Sea Lake falls under Buloke Shire Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,239 per year, from the council's budget: residential rate revenue divided by the number of residential assessments, plus the council's municipal charge where it sets one. Victorian councils rate on capital improved value, so individual properties pay more or less than the average. The figure excludes waste charges and the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.
What does it cost to run a unit in Sea Lake?
Running a unit in Sea Lake costs approximately $9,499 per year by car or $9,499 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,239, water and sewerage $1,473, estimated owners corporation levy of $1,500, and contents insurance of $390. Owners corporation fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
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Data sources: Council rates: Buloke rates (2026-27 budget). Water: Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Flood: Victorian planning scheme flood overlays (FO, LSIO, SBO). Fire: Bushfire Management Overlay and Bushfire Prone Area. Data last verified November 2026. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.