Coledale vs Maddens Plains, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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 $193 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, Coledale costs about $2,200 less to run than Maddens Plains. That's about $4 a week.
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Maddens Plains
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coledale | Maddens Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,296 | $6,489 | -$193 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $1,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,613 | $11,806 | -$193 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,717 | $7,717 | - |
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 | Coledale | Maddens Plains | 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, Coledale vs Maddens Plains (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coledale and Maddens Plains cost within $193 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,213, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $193 per year. Coledale is 52.6 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,717 and $7,717 a year, so the $193 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Coledale by $193 a year, $6,296 against $6,489.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,950 a year.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Coledale against low in Maddens Plains, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9 in Coledale against 8 in Maddens Plains, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coledale cumulative | Maddens Plains cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,613 | $11,806 | $193 |
| Year 3 | $35,895 | $36,491 | $596 |
| Year 5 | $61,655 | $62,680 | $1,025 |
| Year 10 | $133,130 | $135,343 | $2,213 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coledale or Maddens Plains cheaper to live in?
Coledale is cheaper to run by car at $11,613 per year versus $11,806 for Maddens Plains, a difference of $193 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $6,296 from Coledale and $6,489 from Maddens Plains to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $133,130 and Maddens Plains costs $135,343 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,213 in favour of Coledale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coledale and Maddens Plains 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.