Alison vs Jilliby: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Alison and Jilliby are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 69.1 km and 70.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Jilliby runs $436 a year cheaper than Alison, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,998.
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 →Alison
Jilliby
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alison | Jilliby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,181 | $2,995 | +$186 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,850 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,035 | $8,599 | +$436 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,254 | $8,004 | +$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Alison | Jilliby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Alison vs Jilliby (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Jilliby costs $436 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,998 in favour of Jilliby.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Alison carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $8,254 from Alison versus $8,004 from Jilliby.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alison cumulative | Jilliby cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,035 | $8,599 | $436 |
| Year 3 | $27,926 | $26,579 | $1,347 |
| Year 5 | $47,968 | $45,653 | $2,315 |
| Year 10 | $103,576 | $98,578 | $4,998 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alison or Jilliby cheaper to live in?
Jilliby is cheaper to run by car at $8,599 per year versus $9,035 for Alison, a difference of $436 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alison and Jilliby?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Alison (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Jilliby (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Alison and $1,300 in Jilliby. 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 Alison and Jilliby?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,181 from Alison and $2,995 from Jilliby to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Alison and $2,400 from Jilliby.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alison and Jilliby?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alison costs a cumulative $103,576 and Jilliby costs $98,578 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,998 in favour of Jilliby. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alison and Jilliby 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: Central Coast rates (OLG and Central Coast 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.