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 $6,121.
Over 10 years, Charles Sturt University costs about $6,100 less to run than Hillgrove. That's about $12 a week.
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Hillgrove
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Charles Sturt University | Hillgrove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,669 | $2,203 | -$534 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,669 | $2,203 | -$534 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,113 | $6,647 | -$534 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,113 | $6,647 | -$534 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; 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 $6,121 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 gap is $534 per year, $6,113 from Charles Sturt University versus $6,647 from Hillgrove.
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 $1,850 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 | $6,113 | $6,647 | $534 |
| Year 3 | $18,895 | $20,545 | $1,650 |
| Year 5 | $32,455 | $35,290 | $2,835 |
| Year 10 | $70,079 | $76,200 | $6,121 |
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 $6,113 per year versus $6,647 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). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Charles Sturt University and Hillgrove?
At 3% annual cost growth, Charles Sturt University costs a cumulative $70,079 and Hillgrove costs $76,200 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,121 in favour of Charles Sturt University. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Charles Sturt University and Hillgrove suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.