Chinnock vs Mogareeka: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chinnock and Mogareeka are both Bega Valley rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Chinnock runs $650 a year cheaper than Mogareeka, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,452.
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 →Chinnock
Mogareeka
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chinnock | Mogareeka | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,829 | $1,829 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,500 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $24,179 | $24,829 | -$650 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,379 | $9,029 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Chinnock | Mogareeka | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,115 | $3,115 | - |
| Unit | $2,585 | $2,585 | - |
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 — Chinnock vs Mogareeka (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chinnock costs $650 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,452 in favour of Chinnock.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Mogareeka carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $8,379 from Chinnock versus $9,029 from Mogareeka.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,829 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Chinnock by $650 a year, $2,850 against $3,500.
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 the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Mogareeka against medium in Chinnock, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chinnock cumulative | Mogareeka cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $24,179 | $24,829 | $650 |
| Year 3 | $74,735 | $76,744 | $2,009 |
| Year 5 | $128,370 | $131,821 | $3,451 |
| Year 10 | $277,185 | $284,637 | $7,452 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chinnock or Mogareeka cheaper to live in?
Chinnock is cheaper to run by car at $24,179 per year versus $24,829 for Mogareeka, a difference of $650 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chinnock and Mogareeka?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,829 in Chinnock (Bega Valley rates (OLG) and $1,829 in Mogareeka (Bega Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Chinnock and $1,300 in Mogareeka. 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 Chinnock and Mogareeka?
Chinnock carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Mogareeka carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Public transport costs $2,400 from Chinnock and $2,400 from Mogareeka.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chinnock and Mogareeka?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chinnock costs a cumulative $277,185 and Mogareeka costs $284,637 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,452 in favour of Chinnock. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chinnock and Mogareeka 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: Bega Valley rates (OLG and Bega Valley 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.