Cringila vs Spring Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cringila and Spring Hill are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 74.2 km and 72.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $259 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 →Cringila
Spring Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cringila | Spring Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,241 | $3,150 | +$91 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,800 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,058 | $9,317 | -$259 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,217 | $8,567 | -$350 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cringila | Spring Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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 — Cringila vs Spring Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cringila and Spring Hill cost within $259 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,969, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year. Spring Hill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $8,217 from Cringila versus $8,567 from Spring Hill.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,819 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Spring Hill by $91 a year, $3,150 against $3,241.
- Building insurance favours Cringila by $350 a year, $2,450 against $2,800.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Spring Hill against medium in Cringila, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Cringila against low in Spring Hill, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.8 in Spring Hill against 4.4 in Cringila, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cringila cumulative | Spring Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,058 | $9,317 | $259 |
| Year 3 | $27,997 | $28,798 | $801 |
| Year 5 | $48,090 | $49,465 | $1,375 |
| Year 10 | $103,840 | $106,809 | $2,969 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cringila or Spring Hill cheaper to live in?
Cringila is cheaper to run by car at $9,058 per year versus $9,317 for Spring Hill, a difference of $259 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cringila and Spring Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Cringila (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Spring Hill (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cringila and $1,548 in Spring Hill. 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 Cringila and Spring Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,241 from Cringila and $3,150 from Spring Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cringila and $2,400 from Spring Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cringila and Spring Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cringila costs a cumulative $103,840 and Spring Hill costs $106,809 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,969 in favour of Cringila. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cringila and Spring Hill 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.