Coalcliff vs Stanwell Tops, 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 Stanwell Tops are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 47.3 km and 44.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $156 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 the gap between these two is about $1,800, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Stanwell Tops
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coalcliff | Stanwell Tops | 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 | $6,900 | -$144 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $1,650 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,073 | $11,917 | +$156 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,717 | $7,417 | +$300 |
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 | Stanwell Tops | 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 Stanwell Tops (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coalcliff and Stanwell Tops differ by $156 a year by car, but $300 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $144, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Coalcliff carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,717 from Coalcliff versus $7,417 from Stanwell Tops.
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 Coalcliff by $144 a year, $6,756 against $6,900.
- Building insurance favours Stanwell Tops by $300 a year, $1,650 against $1,950.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Coalcliff against low in Stanwell Tops, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coalcliff cumulative | Stanwell Tops cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,073 | $11,917 | $156 |
| Year 3 | $37,316 | $36,834 | $482 |
| Year 5 | $64,097 | $63,269 | $828 |
| Year 10 | $138,403 | $136,615 | $1,788 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coalcliff or Stanwell Tops cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Coalcliff runs $12,073 a year by car and Stanwell Tops $11,917, but most of the $156 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $144. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coalcliff and Stanwell Tops?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Coalcliff (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Stanwell Tops (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Coalcliff and $1,548 in Stanwell Tops. 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 Stanwell Tops?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,756 from Coalcliff and $6,900 from Stanwell Tops to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Coalcliff and $2,400 from Stanwell Tops.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coalcliff and Stanwell Tops?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coalcliff costs a cumulative $138,403 and Stanwell Tops costs $136,615 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,788 in favour of Stanwell Tops. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coalcliff and Stanwell Tops 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.