Cringila vs Spring Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $262 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) | $3,134 | $3,046 | +$88 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,800 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,951 | $9,213 | -$262 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,217 | $8,567 | -$350 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cringila | Spring Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $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 — Cringila vs Spring Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cringila and Spring Hill cost within $262 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,004, 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cringila cumulative | Spring Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,951 | $9,213 | $262 |
| Year 3 | $27,667 | $28,476 | $809 |
| Year 5 | $47,522 | $48,913 | $1,391 |
| Year 10 | $102,613 | $105,617 | $3,004 |
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 $8,951 per year versus $9,213 for Spring Hill, a difference of $262 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $3,134 from Cringila and $3,046 from Spring Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $102,613 and Spring Hill costs $105,617 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,004 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.