Amaroo vs Molong, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Amaroo and Molong are both Cabonne rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 21.7 km and 26 km from Orange CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Amaroo runs $607 a year cheaper than Molong, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,959.
Over 10 years, Amaroo costs about $7,000 less to run than Molong. That's about $13 a week.
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Molong
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Amaroo | Molong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $775 | $775 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,526 | $6,133 | -$607 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,526 | $6,133 | -$607 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,451 | $10,058 | -$607 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,451 | $10,058 | -$607 |
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 | Amaroo | Molong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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, Amaroo vs Molong (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Amaroo costs $607 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,959 in favour of Amaroo.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $607 per year. Molong is 26 km from Orange CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $607 per year, $9,451 from Amaroo versus $10,058 from Molong.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $775 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Amaroo by $607 a year, $5,526 against $6,133.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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 | Amaroo cumulative | Molong cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,451 | $10,058 | $607 |
| Year 3 | $29,212 | $31,088 | $1,876 |
| Year 5 | $50,177 | $53,399 | $3,222 |
| Year 10 | $108,345 | $115,304 | $6,959 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amaroo or Molong cheaper to live in?
Amaroo is cheaper to run by car at $9,451 per year versus $10,058 for Molong, a difference of $607 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Amaroo and Molong?
Annual council rates for a house are $775 in Amaroo (Cabonne rates (OLG) and $775 in Molong (Cabonne rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Amaroo and $1,300 in Molong. 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 Amaroo and Molong?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,526 from Amaroo and $6,133 from Molong to Orange CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Amaroo and Molong?
At 3% annual cost growth, Amaroo costs a cumulative $108,345 and Molong costs $115,304 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,959 in favour of Amaroo. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Amaroo and Molong suits you better?
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Sources: Cabonne rates (OLG and Cabonne 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.