Dangar Island vs Mooney Mooney, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dangar Island (Hornsby rates (OLG) and Mooney Mooney (Central Coast rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (36.8 km and 38.3 km).
The two sit within $153 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 the gap between these two is about $1,800, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Mooney Mooney
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dangar Island | Mooney Mooney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,541 | $1,454 | +$87 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,548 | $1,300 | +$248 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,944 | $6,976 | -$32 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $2,000 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,883 | $11,730 | +$153 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,339 | $7,154 | +$185 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Dangar Island | Mooney Mooney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Dangar Island vs Mooney Mooney (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dangar Island and Mooney Mooney differ by $153 a year by car, but $150 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $303, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is water and sewerage at $248 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,339 and $7,154 a year, so the $153 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Mooney Mooney by $87 a year, $1,454 against $1,541.
- Water and sewerage favours Mooney Mooney by $248 a year, $1,300 against $1,548.
- Driving commute favours Dangar Island by $32 a year, $6,944 against $6,976.
- Building insurance favours Dangar Island by $150 a year, $1,850 against $2,000.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Flood risk is rated high in Mooney Mooney against medium in Dangar Island, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dangar Island cumulative | Mooney Mooney cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,883 | $11,730 | $153 |
| Year 3 | $36,729 | $36,256 | $473 |
| Year 5 | $63,088 | $62,276 | $812 |
| Year 10 | $136,225 | $134,471 | $1,754 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dangar Island or Mooney Mooney cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Dangar Island runs $11,883 a year by car and Mooney Mooney $11,730, but most of the $153 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $303. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dangar Island and Mooney Mooney?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Dangar Island (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Mooney Mooney (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Dangar Island and $1,300 in Mooney Mooney. 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 Dangar Island and Mooney Mooney?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,944 from Dangar Island and $6,976 from Mooney Mooney to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dangar Island and $2,400 from Mooney Mooney.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dangar Island and Mooney Mooney?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dangar Island costs a cumulative $136,225 and Mooney Mooney costs $134,471 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,754 in favour of Mooney Mooney. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dangar Island and Mooney Mooney suits you better?
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: Hornsby rates (OLG and Central Coast rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.