Alison vs Wyong Creek: 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 Wyong Creek are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 69.1 km and 69 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Alison runs $425 a year cheaper than Wyong Creek, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,872.
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
Wyong Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alison | Wyong Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,181 | $3,206 | -$25 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,035 | $9,460 | -$425 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,254 | $8,654 | -$400 |
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 | Wyong Creek | 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 Wyong Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Alison costs $425 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,872 in favour of Alison.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Wyong Creek carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,254 from Alison versus $8,654 from Wyong Creek.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alison cumulative | Wyong Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,035 | $9,460 | $425 |
| Year 3 | $27,926 | $29,240 | $1,314 |
| Year 5 | $47,968 | $50,224 | $2,256 |
| Year 10 | $103,576 | $108,448 | $4,872 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alison or Wyong Creek cheaper to live in?
Alison is cheaper to run by car at $9,035 per year versus $9,460 for Wyong Creek, a difference of $425 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alison and Wyong Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Alison (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Wyong Creek (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Alison and $1,300 in Wyong Creek. 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 Wyong Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,181 from Alison and $3,206 from Wyong Creek to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Alison and $2,400 from Wyong Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alison and Wyong Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alison costs a cumulative $103,576 and Wyong Creek costs $108,448 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,872 in favour of Alison. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alison and Wyong Creek 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.