Ashmont vs Moorong: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ashmont and Moorong are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 3.2 km and 3.5 km from Wagga Wagga CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Ashmont runs $1,047 a year cheaper than Moorong, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,003.
Over 10 years, Ashmont costs about $12,000 less to run than Moorong — the same as paying $12,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Moorong
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ashmont | Moorong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,073 | $1,170 | -$97 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $3,100 | -$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,817 | $6,864 | -$1,047 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,144 | $8,094 | -$950 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Ashmont | Moorong | 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 — Ashmont vs Moorong (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ashmont costs $1,047 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,003 in favour of Ashmont.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. Moorong carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $950 per year, $7,144 from Ashmont versus $8,094 from Moorong.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,294 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Ashmont by $97 a year, $1,073 against $1,170.
- Building insurance favours Ashmont by $950 a year, $2,150 against $3,100.
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 Moorong against medium in Ashmont, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Moorong against low in Ashmont, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ashmont cumulative | Moorong cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,817 | $6,864 | $1,047 |
| Year 3 | $17,980 | $21,216 | $3,236 |
| Year 5 | $30,883 | $36,442 | $5,559 |
| Year 10 | $66,685 | $78,688 | $12,003 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ashmont or Moorong cheaper to live in?
Ashmont is cheaper to run by car at $5,817 per year versus $6,864 for Moorong, a difference of $1,047 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ashmont and Moorong?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Ashmont (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Moorong (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Ashmont and $1,300 in Moorong. 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 Ashmont and Moorong?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,073 from Ashmont and $1,170 from Moorong to Wagga Wagga CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Ashmont and $2,400 from Moorong.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ashmont and Moorong?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ashmont costs a cumulative $66,685 and Moorong costs $78,688 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,003 in favour of Ashmont. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ashmont and Moorong 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.
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Sources: Wagga Wagga rates (OLG and Wagga Wagga 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.