Coledale vs Maddens Plains: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coledale and Maddens Plains are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 52.6 km and 50.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $263 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 →Coledale
Maddens Plains
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coledale | Maddens Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,088 | $6,275 | -$187 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,550 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,455 | $12,192 | +$263 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,767 | $8,317 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Coledale | Maddens Plains | 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 — Coledale vs Maddens Plains (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coledale and Maddens Plains cost within $263 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,015, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Coledale carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $8,767 from Coledale versus $8,317 from Maddens Plains.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coledale cumulative | Maddens Plains cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,455 | $12,192 | $263 |
| Year 3 | $38,497 | $37,684 | $813 |
| Year 5 | $66,125 | $64,729 | $1,396 |
| Year 10 | $142,783 | $139,768 | $3,015 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coledale or Maddens Plains cheaper to live in?
Maddens Plains is cheaper to run by car at $12,192 per year versus $12,455 for Coledale, a difference of $263 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coledale and Maddens Plains?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Coledale (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Maddens Plains (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Coledale and $1,548 in Maddens Plains. 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 Coledale and Maddens Plains?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,088 from Coledale and $6,275 from Maddens Plains to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Coledale and $2,400 from Maddens Plains.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coledale and Maddens Plains?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coledale costs a cumulative $142,783 and Maddens Plains costs $139,768 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,015 in favour of Maddens Plains. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coledale and Maddens Plains 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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.