Alfredtown vs Forest Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Alfredtown and Forest Hill are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 367.7 km and 369.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Alfredtown runs $650 a year cheaper than Forest Hill, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,452.
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) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $3,100 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,644 | $23,294 | -$650 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,444 | $8,094 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Alfredtown | Forest Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,453 | $2,453 | - |
| Unit | $1,944 | $1,944 | - |
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 — Alfredtown vs Forest Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Alfredtown costs $650 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,452 in favour of Alfredtown.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alfredtown cumulative | Forest Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,644 | $23,294 | $650 |
| Year 3 | $69,990 | $71,999 | $2,009 |
| Year 5 | $120,220 | $123,671 | $3,451 |
| Year 10 | $259,588 | $267,040 | $7,452 |
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 $22,644 per year versus $23,294 for Forest Hill, a difference of $650 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $17,600 from Alfredtown and $17,600 from Forest Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $259,588 and Forest Hill costs $267,040 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,452 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.
Related comparisons
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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.