Charles Sturt University vs Hillgrove: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Charles Sturt University and Hillgrove are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 5.1 km and 6.9 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 $534 a year cheaper than Hillgrove, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,122.
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
Hillgrove
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Charles Sturt University | Hillgrove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,669 | $2,203 | -$534 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,263 | $6,797 | -$534 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,994 | $6,994 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Charles Sturt University | Hillgrove | 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 — Charles Sturt University vs Hillgrove (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Charles Sturt University costs $534 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,122 in favour of Charles Sturt University.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $534 per year. Hillgrove is 6.9 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, $6,994 and $6,994 a year, so the $534 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 Charles Sturt University by $534 a year, $1,669 against $2,203.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,000 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 | Charles Sturt University cumulative | Hillgrove cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,263 | $6,797 | $534 |
| Year 3 | $19,358 | $21,009 | $1,651 |
| Year 5 | $33,251 | $36,086 | $2,835 |
| Year 10 | $71,798 | $77,920 | $6,122 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Charles Sturt University or Hillgrove cheaper to live in?
Charles Sturt University is cheaper to run by car at $6,263 per year versus $6,797 for Hillgrove, a difference of $534 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Charles Sturt University and Hillgrove?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Charles Sturt University (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Hillgrove (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Charles Sturt University and $1,300 in Hillgrove. 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 Hillgrove?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,669 from Charles Sturt University and $2,203 from Hillgrove to Wagga Wagga CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Charles Sturt University and $2,400 from Hillgrove.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Charles Sturt University and Hillgrove?
At 3% annual cost growth, Charles Sturt University costs a cumulative $71,798 and Hillgrove costs $77,920 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,122 in favour of Charles Sturt University. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Charles Sturt University and Hillgrove 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.