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 $820 a year cheaper than Hillgrove, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,400.
Over 10 years, Estella costs about $9,400 less to run than Hillgrove — the same as paying $9,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Hillgrove
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Estella | Hillgrove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,233 | $2,203 | -$970 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,000 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,977 | $6,797 | -$820 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,144 | $6,994 | +$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 $820 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,400 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 two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,144 and $6,994 a year, so the $820 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 $150 a year, $2,000 against $2,150.
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 | $5,977 | $6,797 | $820 |
| Year 3 | $18,474 | $21,009 | $2,535 |
| Year 5 | $31,733 | $36,086 | $4,353 |
| Year 10 | $68,520 | $77,920 | $9,400 |
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 $5,977 per year versus $6,797 for Hillgrove, a difference of $820 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). Public transport costs $2,400 from Estella and $2,400 from Hillgrove.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Estella and Hillgrove?
At 3% annual cost growth, Estella costs a cumulative $68,520 and Hillgrove costs $77,920 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,400 in favour of Estella. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Estella and Hillgrove 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.