Colongra vs Doyalson North: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Colongra and Doyalson North are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 80.4 km and 82.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Doyalson North runs $570 a year cheaper than Colongra, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,534.
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 →Colongra
Doyalson North
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Colongra | Doyalson North | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,396 | $3,476 | -$80 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $2,850 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,650 | $9,080 | +$570 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,654 | $8,004 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Colongra | Doyalson North | 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 — Colongra vs Doyalson North (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Doyalson North costs $570 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,534 in favour of Doyalson North.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Colongra carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $8,654 from Colongra versus $8,004 from Doyalson North.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Colongra cumulative | Doyalson North cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,650 | $9,080 | $570 |
| Year 3 | $29,827 | $28,065 | $1,762 |
| Year 5 | $51,233 | $48,207 | $3,026 |
| Year 10 | $110,626 | $104,092 | $6,534 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Colongra or Doyalson North cheaper to live in?
Doyalson North is cheaper to run by car at $9,080 per year versus $9,650 for Colongra, a difference of $570 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Colongra and Doyalson North?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Colongra (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Doyalson North (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Colongra and $1,300 in Doyalson North. 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 Colongra and Doyalson North?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,396 from Colongra and $3,476 from Doyalson North to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Colongra and $2,400 from Doyalson North.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Colongra and Doyalson North?
At 3% annual cost growth, Colongra costs a cumulative $110,626 and Doyalson North costs $104,092 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,534 in favour of Doyalson North. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Colongra and Doyalson North 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.