Comerong Island vs Coolangatta: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Comerong Island and Coolangatta are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Comerong Island
Coolangatta
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Comerong Island | Coolangatta | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $24,147 | $24,147 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,347 | $8,347 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Comerong Island | Coolangatta | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Comerong Island vs Coolangatta (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Comerong Island and Coolangatta cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,347 and $8,347 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,547 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,100 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. On these four costs they are identical.
The catchment state school scores 6.5 in Coolangatta against 4.6 in Comerong Island, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Comerong Island cumulative | Coolangatta cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $24,147 | $24,147 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $74,636 | $74,636 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $128,200 | $128,200 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $276,818 | $276,818 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Comerong Island or Coolangatta cheaper to live in?
Comerong Island is cheaper to run by car at $24,147 per year versus $24,147 for Coolangatta, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Comerong Island and Coolangatta?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Comerong Island (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Coolangatta (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Comerong Island and $1,300 in Coolangatta. 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 Comerong Island and Coolangatta?
Comerong Island carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Coolangatta carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Public transport costs $2,400 from Comerong Island and $2,400 from Coolangatta.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Comerong Island and Coolangatta?
At 3% annual cost growth, Comerong Island costs a cumulative $276,818 and Coolangatta costs $276,818 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Comerong Island. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Comerong Island and Coolangatta 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.
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Sources: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Shoalhaven rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.