Craigie vs Mila: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Craigie and Mila are both Snowy Monaro Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 403.3 km and 398.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mila runs $400 a year cheaper than Craigie, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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 →Craigie
Mila
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Craigie | Mila | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,306 | $1,306 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,606 | $22,206 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,406 | $7,006 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Craigie | Mila | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,554 | $2,554 | - |
| Unit | $2,020 | $2,020 | - |
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 — Craigie vs Mila (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mila costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Mila.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,406 from Craigie versus $7,006 from Mila.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Craigie cumulative | Mila cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,606 | $22,206 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $69,873 | $68,637 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $120,018 | $117,895 | $2,123 |
| Year 10 | $259,152 | $254,567 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Craigie or Mila cheaper to live in?
Mila is cheaper to run by car at $22,206 per year versus $22,606 for Craigie, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Craigie and Mila?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,306 in Craigie (Snowy Monaro Regional rates (OLG) and $1,306 in Mila (Snowy Monaro Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Craigie and $1,300 in Mila. 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 Craigie and Mila?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Craigie and $17,600 from Mila to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Craigie and $2,400 from Mila.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Craigie and Mila?
At 3% annual cost growth, Craigie costs a cumulative $259,152 and Mila costs $254,567 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Mila. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Craigie and Mila 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: Snowy Monaro Regional rates (OLG and Snowy Monaro Regional 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.