Cattai vs South Maroota: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cattai and South Maroota are both The Hills rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 45.5 km and 44.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
South Maroota runs $1,054 a year cheaper than Cattai, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,083.
Over 10 years, South Maroota costs about $12,100 less to run than Cattai — the same as paying $12,100 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 →Cattai
South Maroota
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cattai | South Maroota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,261 | $1,261 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,631 | $6,677 | -$46 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,650 | $2,550 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,090 | $12,036 | +$1,054 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,859 | $7,759 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cattai | South Maroota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Cattai vs South Maroota (2026-27)
What the numbers show
South Maroota costs $1,054 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,083 in favour of South Maroota.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Cattai carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $8,859 from Cattai versus $7,759 from South Maroota.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cattai cumulative | South Maroota cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,090 | $12,036 | $1,054 |
| Year 3 | $40,460 | $37,202 | $3,258 |
| Year 5 | $69,497 | $63,901 | $5,596 |
| Year 10 | $150,062 | $137,979 | $12,083 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cattai or South Maroota cheaper to live in?
South Maroota is cheaper to run by car at $12,036 per year versus $13,090 for Cattai, a difference of $1,054 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cattai and South Maroota?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,261 in Cattai (The Hills rates (OLG) and $1,261 in South Maroota (The Hills rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cattai and $1,548 in South Maroota. 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 Cattai and South Maroota?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,631 from Cattai and $6,677 from South Maroota to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cattai and $2,400 from South Maroota.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cattai and South Maroota?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cattai costs a cumulative $150,062 and South Maroota costs $137,979 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,083 in favour of South Maroota. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cattai and South Maroota 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: The Hills rates (OLG and The Hills 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.