Cogra Bay vs Mooney Mooney, 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 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 $148 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 $1,700, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Mooney Mooney
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cogra Bay | Mooney Mooney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,978 | $6,976 | +$2 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $2,000 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,582 | $11,730 | -$148 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,004 | $7,154 | -$150 |
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 | Mooney Mooney | 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 Mooney Mooney (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cogra Bay and Mooney Mooney differ by $148 a year by car, but $150 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 $2, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. Mooney Mooney carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,004 and $7,154 a year, so the $148 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,454 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mooney Mooney by $2 a year, $6,976 against $6,978.
- Building insurance favours Cogra Bay by $150 a year, $1,850 against $2,000.
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 high in Mooney Mooney against medium in Cogra Bay, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Cogra Bay against medium in Mooney Mooney, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cogra Bay cumulative | Mooney Mooney cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,582 | $11,730 | $148 |
| Year 3 | $35,799 | $36,256 | $457 |
| Year 5 | $61,490 | $62,276 | $786 |
| Year 10 | $132,775 | $134,471 | $1,696 |
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?
Neither is named cheaper. Cogra Bay runs $11,582 a year by car and Mooney Mooney $11,730, but most of the $148 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $2. 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 $6,978 from Cogra Bay and $6,976 from Mooney Mooney to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $132,775 and Mooney Mooney costs $134,471 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,696 in favour of Cogra Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cogra Bay and Mooney Mooney suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.