Coledale vs Thirroul: 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 Thirroul are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 52.6 km and 56.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $216 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
Thirroul
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coledale | Thirroul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,088 | $5,622 | +$466 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $3,250 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,455 | $12,239 | +$216 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,767 | $9,017 | -$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 | Coledale | Thirroul | 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 Thirroul (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coledale and Thirroul cost within $216 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,477, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $466 per year. Thirroul is 56.4 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $8,767 from Coledale versus $9,017 from Thirroul.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coledale cumulative | Thirroul cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,455 | $12,239 | $216 |
| Year 3 | $38,497 | $37,830 | $667 |
| Year 5 | $66,125 | $64,979 | $1,146 |
| Year 10 | $142,783 | $140,306 | $2,477 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coledale or Thirroul cheaper to live in?
Thirroul is cheaper to run by car at $12,239 per year versus $12,455 for Coledale, a difference of $216 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coledale and Thirroul?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Coledale (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Thirroul (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Coledale and $1,548 in Thirroul. 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 Thirroul?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,088 from Coledale and $5,622 from Thirroul to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Coledale and $2,400 from Thirroul.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coledale and Thirroul?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coledale costs a cumulative $142,783 and Thirroul costs $140,306 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,477 in favour of Thirroul. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coledale and Thirroul 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.