Coalcliff vs Scarborough, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coalcliff and Scarborough are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 47.3 km and 49.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $196 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, Scarborough costs about $2,200 less to run than Coalcliff. That's about $4 a week.
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Scarborough
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coalcliff | Scarborough | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,756 | $6,560 | +$196 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $1,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,073 | $11,877 | +$196 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,717 | $7,717 | - |
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 | Coalcliff | Scarborough | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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, Coalcliff vs Scarborough (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coalcliff and Scarborough cost within $196 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,247, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $196 per year. Scarborough is 49.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,717 and $7,717 a year, so the $196 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,819 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Scarborough by $196 a year, $6,560 against $6,756.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,950 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 | Coalcliff cumulative | Scarborough cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,073 | $11,877 | $196 |
| Year 3 | $37,316 | $36,711 | $605 |
| Year 5 | $64,097 | $63,057 | $1,040 |
| Year 10 | $138,403 | $136,156 | $2,247 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coalcliff or Scarborough cheaper to live in?
Scarborough is cheaper to run by car at $11,877 per year versus $12,073 for Coalcliff, a difference of $196 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coalcliff and Scarborough?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Coalcliff (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Scarborough (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Coalcliff and $1,548 in Scarborough. 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 Coalcliff and Scarborough?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,756 from Coalcliff and $6,560 from Scarborough to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Coalcliff and $2,400 from Scarborough.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coalcliff and Scarborough?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coalcliff costs a cumulative $138,403 and Scarborough costs $136,156 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,247 in favour of Scarborough. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coalcliff and Scarborough suits you better?
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Sources: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.