Cogra Bay vs Mooney Mooney: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cogra Bay and Mooney Mooney are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 38.4 km and 38.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $248 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 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 →Cogra Bay
Mooney Mooney
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cogra Bay | Mooney Mooney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,748 | $6,746 | +$2 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $3,250 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,502 | $12,750 | -$248 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,154 | $8,404 | -$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cogra Bay | Mooney Mooney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 Mooney Mooney (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cogra Bay and Mooney Mooney cost within $248 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,843, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Mooney Mooney carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $8,154 from Cogra Bay versus $8,404 from Mooney Mooney.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cogra Bay cumulative | Mooney Mooney cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,502 | $12,750 | $248 |
| Year 3 | $38,642 | $39,409 | $767 |
| Year 5 | $66,375 | $67,691 | $1,316 |
| Year 10 | $143,321 | $146,164 | $2,843 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cogra Bay or Mooney Mooney cheaper to live in?
Cogra Bay is cheaper to run by car at $12,502 per year versus $12,750 for Mooney Mooney, a difference of $248 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cogra Bay and Mooney Mooney?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Cogra Bay (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Mooney Mooney (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Cogra Bay and $1,300 in Mooney Mooney. 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 Mooney Mooney?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,748 from Cogra Bay and $6,746 from Mooney Mooney to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cogra Bay and $2,400 from Mooney Mooney.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cogra Bay and Mooney Mooney?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cogra Bay costs a cumulative $143,321 and Mooney Mooney costs $146,164 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,843 in favour of Cogra Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cogra Bay and Mooney Mooney 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Central Coast rates (OLG and Central Coast rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.