Charles Sturt University vs Estella: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Charles Sturt University and Estella are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 376.9 km and 378.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $150 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here — the decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Charles Sturt University
Estella
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Charles Sturt University | Estella | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,150 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,194 | $22,344 | -$150 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,994 | $7,144 | -$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Charles Sturt University | Estella | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,453 | $2,453 | - |
| Unit | $1,944 | $1,944 | - |
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 — Charles Sturt University vs Estella (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Charles Sturt University and Estella cost within $150 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,720, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. Estella carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,994 and $7,144 a year, so the $150 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Charles Sturt University cumulative | Estella cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,194 | $22,344 | $150 |
| Year 3 | $68,599 | $69,063 | $464 |
| Year 5 | $117,831 | $118,627 | $796 |
| Year 10 | $254,429 | $256,149 | $1,720 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Charles Sturt University or Estella cheaper to live in?
Charles Sturt University is cheaper to run by car at $22,194 per year versus $22,344 for Estella, a difference of $150 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Charles Sturt University and Estella?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Charles Sturt University (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Estella (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Charles Sturt University and $1,300 in Estella. 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 Charles Sturt University and Estella?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Charles Sturt University and $17,600 from Estella to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Charles Sturt University and $2,400 from Estella.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Charles Sturt University and Estella?
At 3% annual cost growth, Charles Sturt University costs a cumulative $254,429 and Estella costs $256,149 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,720 in favour of Charles Sturt University. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Charles Sturt University and Estella 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.