Cogra Bay vs Dangar Island, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cogra Bay (Central Coast rates (OLG) and Dangar Island (Hornsby rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (38.4 km and 36.8 km).
Cogra Bay runs $301 a year cheaper than Dangar Island, driven mostly by water. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,450.
Over 10 years, Cogra Bay costs about $3,500 less to run than Dangar Island. That's about $7 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Cogra Bay
Dangar Island
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cogra Bay | Dangar Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,454 | $1,541 | -$87 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,548 | -$248 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,978 | $6,944 | +$34 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,582 | $11,883 | -$301 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,004 | $7,339 | -$335 |
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 | Cogra Bay | Dangar Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Cogra Bay vs Dangar Island (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cogra Bay costs $301 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,450 in favour of Cogra Bay.
The biggest single gap is water and sewerage at $248 per year.
On public transport the gap is $335 per year, $7,004 from Cogra Bay versus $7,339 from Dangar Island.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Cogra Bay by $87 a year, $1,454 against $1,541.
- Water and sewerage favours Cogra Bay by $248 a year, $1,300 against $1,548.
- Driving commute favours Dangar Island by $34 a year, $6,944 against $6,978.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Fire risk is rated high in Cogra Bay against medium in Dangar Island, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cogra Bay cumulative | Dangar Island cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,582 | $11,883 | $301 |
| Year 3 | $35,799 | $36,729 | $930 |
| Year 5 | $61,490 | $63,088 | $1,598 |
| Year 10 | $132,775 | $136,225 | $3,450 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cogra Bay or Dangar Island cheaper to live in?
Cogra Bay is cheaper to run by car at $11,582 per year versus $11,883 for Dangar Island, a difference of $301 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cogra Bay and Dangar Island?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Cogra Bay (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,541 in Dangar Island (Hornsby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Cogra Bay and $1,548 in Dangar Island. 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 Cogra Bay and Dangar Island?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,978 from Cogra Bay and $6,944 from Dangar Island to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cogra Bay and $2,400 from Dangar Island.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cogra Bay and Dangar Island?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cogra Bay costs a cumulative $132,775 and Dangar Island costs $136,225 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,450 in favour of Cogra Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cogra Bay and Dangar Island suits you better?
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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Central Coast rates (OLG and Hornsby 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.