Crangan Bay vs Moonee: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Crangan Bay (Central Coast rates (OLG) and Moonee (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (86.6 km and 86.7 km).
Crangan Bay runs $390 a year cheaper than Moonee, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,471.
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 →Crangan Bay
Moonee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Crangan Bay | Moonee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,763 | -$309 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,377 | -$77 |
| Commute (driving) | $3,658 | $3,662 | -$4 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,262 | $9,652 | -$390 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,004 | $8,390 | -$386 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Crangan Bay | Moonee | 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 — Crangan Bay vs Moonee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Crangan Bay costs $390 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,471 in favour of Crangan Bay.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $309 per year.
On public transport the gap is $386 per year, $8,004 from Crangan Bay versus $8,390 from Moonee.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Crangan Bay cumulative | Moonee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,262 | $9,652 | $390 |
| Year 3 | $28,628 | $29,833 | $1,205 |
| Year 5 | $49,173 | $51,244 | $2,071 |
| Year 10 | $106,178 | $110,649 | $4,471 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crangan Bay or Moonee cheaper to live in?
Crangan Bay is cheaper to run by car at $9,262 per year versus $9,652 for Moonee, a difference of $390 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Crangan Bay and Moonee?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Crangan Bay (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Moonee (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Crangan Bay and $1,377 in Moonee. 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 Crangan Bay and Moonee?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,658 from Crangan Bay and $3,662 from Moonee to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Crangan Bay and $2,400 from Moonee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Crangan Bay and Moonee?
At 3% annual cost growth, Crangan Bay costs a cumulative $106,178 and Moonee costs $110,649 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,471 in favour of Crangan Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Crangan Bay and Moonee 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 Lake Macquarie 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.