Adelong vs Sandy Gully: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Adelong and Sandy Gully are both Snowy Valleys rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 329.2 km and 330.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Adelong
Sandy Gully
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Adelong | Sandy Gully | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $974 | $974 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $21,874 | $21,874 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $6,674 | $6,674 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Adelong | Sandy Gully | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 — Adelong vs Sandy Gully (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Adelong and Sandy Gully cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,674 and $6,674 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Adelong cumulative | Sandy Gully cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $21,874 | $21,874 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $67,610 | $67,610 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $116,132 | $116,132 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $250,761 | $250,761 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Adelong or Sandy Gully cheaper to live in?
Adelong is cheaper to run by car at $21,874 per year versus $21,874 for Sandy Gully, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Adelong and Sandy Gully?
Annual council rates for a house are $974 in Adelong (Snowy Valleys rates (OLG) and $974 in Sandy Gully (Snowy Valleys rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Adelong and $1,300 in Sandy Gully. 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 Adelong and Sandy Gully?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Adelong and $17,600 from Sandy Gully to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Adelong and $2,400 from Sandy Gully.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Adelong and Sandy Gully?
At 3% annual cost growth, Adelong costs a cumulative $250,761 and Sandy Gully costs $250,761 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Adelong. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Adelong and Sandy Gully 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: Snowy Valleys rates (OLG and Snowy Valleys 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.