Cartwrights Hill vs North Wagga Wagga: 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 North Wagga Wagga are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 4.9 km and 2.4 km from Wagga Wagga CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
North Wagga Wagga runs $794 a year cheaper than Cartwrights Hill, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,103.
Over 10 years, North Wagga Wagga costs about $9,100 less to run than Cartwrights Hill — the same as paying $9,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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North Wagga Wagga
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cartwrights Hill | North Wagga Wagga | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,607 | $813 | +$794 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,301 | $6,507 | +$794 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,094 | $8,094 | - |
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 | North Wagga Wagga | 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 North Wagga Wagga (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Wagga Wagga costs $794 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,103 in favour of North Wagga Wagga.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $794 per year. Cartwrights Hill is 4.9 km from Wagga Wagga CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,094 and $8,094 a year, so the $794 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 North Wagga Wagga by $794 a year, $813 against $1,607.
- 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 | Cartwrights Hill cumulative | North Wagga Wagga cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,301 | $6,507 | $794 |
| Year 3 | $22,567 | $20,112 | $2,455 |
| Year 5 | $38,762 | $34,547 | $4,215 |
| Year 10 | $83,698 | $74,595 | $9,103 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cartwrights Hill or North Wagga Wagga cheaper to live in?
North Wagga Wagga is cheaper to run by car at $6,507 per year versus $7,301 for Cartwrights Hill, a difference of $794 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 North Wagga Wagga?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Cartwrights Hill (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in North Wagga Wagga (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Cartwrights Hill and $1,300 in North Wagga Wagga. 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 North Wagga Wagga?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,607 from Cartwrights Hill and $813 from North Wagga Wagga to Wagga Wagga CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cartwrights Hill and $2,400 from North Wagga Wagga.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cartwrights Hill and North Wagga Wagga?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cartwrights Hill costs a cumulative $83,698 and North Wagga Wagga costs $74,595 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,103 in favour of North Wagga Wagga. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cartwrights Hill and North Wagga Wagga 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.