Alison vs Mardi: 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 Mardi are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 69.1 km and 67.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Alison runs $444 a year cheaper than Mardi, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,090.
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
Mardi
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alison | Mardi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,289 | $3,733 | -$444 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,143 | $9,587 | -$444 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,254 | $8,254 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Alison | Mardi | 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 Mardi (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Alison costs $444 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,090 in favour of Alison.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $444 per year. Alison is 69.1 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, $8,254 and $8,254 a year, so the $444 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 Alison by $444 a year, $3,289 against $3,733.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,100 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alison cumulative | Mardi cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,143 | $9,587 | $444 |
| Year 3 | $28,260 | $29,632 | $1,372 |
| Year 5 | $48,541 | $50,899 | $2,358 |
| Year 10 | $104,814 | $109,904 | $5,090 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alison or Mardi cheaper to live in?
Alison is cheaper to run by car at $9,143 per year versus $9,587 for Mardi, a difference of $444 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alison and Mardi?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Alison (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Mardi (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Alison and $1,300 in Mardi. 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 Mardi?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,289 from Alison and $3,733 from Mardi to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Alison and $2,400 from Mardi.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alison and Mardi?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alison costs a cumulative $104,814 and Mardi costs $109,904 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,090 in favour of Alison. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alison and Mardi 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.