Alison vs Jilliby, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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 $342 a year cheaper than Alison, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,921.
Over 10 years, Jilliby costs about $3,900 less to run than Alison. That's about $8 a week.
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Jilliby
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alison | Jilliby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,289 | $3,097 | +$192 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $1,850 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,043 | $7,701 | +$342 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,154 | $7,004 | +$150 |
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 | Alison | Jilliby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Alison vs Jilliby (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Jilliby costs $342 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,921 in favour of Jilliby.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $192 per year. Jilliby is 70.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,154 and $7,004 a year, so the $342 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,454 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Jilliby by $192 a year, $3,097 against $3,289.
- Building insurance favours Jilliby by $150 a year, $1,850 against $2,000.
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 Alison against medium in Jilliby, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Jilliby against medium in Alison, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 5.7 in Jilliby against 4.3 in Alison, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alison cumulative | Jilliby cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,043 | $7,701 | $342 |
| Year 3 | $24,860 | $23,803 | $1,057 |
| Year 5 | $42,701 | $40,886 | $1,815 |
| Year 10 | $92,204 | $88,283 | $3,921 |
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 $7,701 per year versus $8,043 for Alison, a difference of $342 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $3,289 from Alison and $3,097 from Jilliby to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $92,204 and Jilliby costs $88,283 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,921 in favour of Jilliby. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alison and Jilliby suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.