Cartwrights Hill vs Charles Sturt University: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cartwrights Hill and Charles Sturt University are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 4.9 km and 5.1 km from Wagga Wagga CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Charles Sturt University runs $1,038 a year cheaper than Cartwrights Hill, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,900.
Over 10 years, Charles Sturt University costs about $11,900 less to run than Cartwrights Hill — the same as paying $11,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Cartwrights Hill
Charles Sturt University
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cartwrights Hill | Charles Sturt University | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,607 | $1,669 | -$62 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,000 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,301 | $6,263 | +$1,038 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,094 | $6,994 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cartwrights Hill | Charles Sturt University | 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 — Cartwrights Hill vs Charles Sturt University (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Charles Sturt University costs $1,038 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,900 in favour of Charles Sturt University.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Cartwrights Hill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $8,094 from Cartwrights Hill versus $6,994 from Charles Sturt University.
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 Cartwrights Hill by $62 a year, $1,607 against $1,669.
- Building insurance favours Charles Sturt University by $1,100 a year, $2,000 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 Cartwrights Hill against low in Charles Sturt University, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cartwrights Hill cumulative | Charles Sturt University cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,301 | $6,263 | $1,038 |
| Year 3 | $22,567 | $19,358 | $3,209 |
| Year 5 | $38,762 | $33,251 | $5,511 |
| Year 10 | $83,698 | $71,798 | $11,900 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cartwrights Hill or Charles Sturt University cheaper to live in?
Charles Sturt University is cheaper to run by car at $6,263 per year versus $7,301 for Cartwrights Hill, a difference of $1,038 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cartwrights Hill and Charles Sturt University?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Cartwrights Hill (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Charles Sturt University (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Cartwrights Hill and $1,300 in Charles Sturt University. 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 Cartwrights Hill and Charles Sturt University?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,607 from Cartwrights Hill and $1,669 from Charles Sturt University to Wagga Wagga CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cartwrights Hill and $2,400 from Charles Sturt University.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cartwrights Hill and Charles Sturt University?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cartwrights Hill costs a cumulative $83,698 and Charles Sturt University costs $71,798 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,900 in favour of Charles Sturt University. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cartwrights Hill and Charles Sturt University 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.