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 $198 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 →Alfredtown
Forest Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alfredtown | Forest Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,967 | $3,515 | +$452 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $3,100 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,011 | $9,209 | -$198 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,444 | $8,094 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 cost within $198 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,270, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Forest Hill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,444 from Alfredtown versus $8,094 from Forest Hill.
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 $650 a year, $2,450 against $3,100.
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 | $9,011 | $9,209 | $198 |
| Year 3 | $27,852 | $28,464 | $612 |
| Year 5 | $47,841 | $48,892 | $1,051 |
| Year 10 | $103,301 | $105,571 | $2,270 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alfredtown or Forest Hill cheaper to live in?
Alfredtown is cheaper to run by car at $9,011 per year versus $9,209 for Forest Hill, a difference of $198 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. 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). Public transport costs $2,400 from Alfredtown and $2,400 from Forest Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alfredtown and Forest Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alfredtown costs a cumulative $103,301 and Forest Hill costs $105,571 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,270 in favour of Alfredtown. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alfredtown and Forest Hill 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.