Alfredtown vs Forest Hill, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Alfredtown and Forest Hill are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 13.7 km and 11.8 km from Wagga Wagga CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $148 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 the gap between these two is about $1,700, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Forest Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alfredtown | Forest Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,967 | $3,515 | +$452 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,967 | $3,515 | +$452 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,850 | -$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,811 | $8,959 | -$148 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,811 | $8,959 | -$148 |
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 | Alfredtown | Forest Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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, Alfredtown vs Forest Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Alfredtown and Forest Hill differ by $148 a year by car, but $600 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $452, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year. Forest Hill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,811 and $8,959 a year, so the $148 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,294 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Forest Hill by $452 a year, $3,515 against $3,967.
- Building insurance favours Alfredtown by $600 a year, $2,250 against $2,850.
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 high in Forest Hill against medium in Alfredtown, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alfredtown cumulative | Forest Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,811 | $8,959 | $148 |
| Year 3 | $27,234 | $27,691 | $457 |
| Year 5 | $46,779 | $47,565 | $786 |
| Year 10 | $101,008 | $102,705 | $1,697 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alfredtown or Forest Hill cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Alfredtown runs $8,811 a year by car and Forest Hill $8,959, but most of the $148 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $452. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alfredtown and Forest Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Alfredtown (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Forest Hill (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Alfredtown and $1,300 in Forest Hill. 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 Alfredtown and Forest Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,967 from Alfredtown and $3,515 from Forest Hill to Wagga Wagga CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alfredtown and Forest Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alfredtown costs a cumulative $101,008 and Forest Hill costs $102,705 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,697 in favour of Alfredtown. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alfredtown and Forest Hill suits you better?
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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Sources: Wagga Wagga rates (OLG and Wagga Wagga 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.