Estella vs Hillgrove, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Estella and Hillgrove are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 3.7 km and 6.9 km from Wagga Wagga CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Estella runs $870 a year cheaper than Hillgrove, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,973.
Over 10 years, Estella costs about $10,000 less to run than Hillgrove. That's about $19 a week.
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Hillgrove
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Estella | Hillgrove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,233 | $2,203 | -$970 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,233 | $2,203 | -$970 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $1,850 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,777 | $6,647 | -$870 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,777 | $6,647 | -$870 |
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 | Estella | Hillgrove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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, Estella vs Hillgrove (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Estella costs $870 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,973 in favour of Estella.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $970 per year. Hillgrove is 6.9 km from Wagga Wagga CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $870 per year, $5,777 from Estella versus $6,647 from Hillgrove.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,294 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Estella by $970 a year, $1,233 against $2,203.
- Building insurance favours Hillgrove by $100 a year, $1,850 against $1,950.
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 medium in Estella against low in Hillgrove, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Hillgrove against low in Estella, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Estella cumulative | Hillgrove cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,777 | $6,647 | $870 |
| Year 3 | $17,856 | $20,545 | $2,689 |
| Year 5 | $30,671 | $35,290 | $4,619 |
| Year 10 | $66,227 | $76,200 | $9,973 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Estella or Hillgrove cheaper to live in?
Estella is cheaper to run by car at $5,777 per year versus $6,647 for Hillgrove, a difference of $870 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Estella and Hillgrove?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Estella (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Hillgrove (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Estella and $1,300 in Hillgrove. 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 Estella and Hillgrove?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,233 from Estella and $2,203 from Hillgrove to Wagga Wagga CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Estella and Hillgrove?
At 3% annual cost growth, Estella costs a cumulative $66,227 and Hillgrove costs $76,200 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,973 in favour of Estella. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Estella and Hillgrove suits you better?
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Sources: Wagga Wagga rates (OLG and Wagga Wagga 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.