Fairy Meadow vs Fernhill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Fairy Meadow and Fernhill are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 65.2 km and 64.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Fernhill runs $476 a year cheaper than Fairy Meadow, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,457.
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 →Fairy Meadow
Fernhill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fairy Meadow | Fernhill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,215 | $4,389 | -$174 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,150 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,382 | $9,906 | +$476 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,567 | $7,917 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Fairy Meadow | Fernhill | 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 — Fairy Meadow vs Fernhill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fernhill costs $476 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,457 in favour of Fernhill.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Fairy Meadow carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $8,567 from Fairy Meadow versus $7,917 from Fernhill.
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 Fairy Meadow by $174 a year, $4,215 against $4,389.
- Building insurance favours Fernhill by $650 a year, $2,150 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 Fairy Meadow against medium in Fernhill, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fairy Meadow cumulative | Fernhill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,382 | $9,906 | $476 |
| Year 3 | $32,090 | $30,618 | $1,472 |
| Year 5 | $55,119 | $52,592 | $2,527 |
| Year 10 | $119,018 | $113,561 | $5,457 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fairy Meadow or Fernhill cheaper to live in?
Fernhill is cheaper to run by car at $9,906 per year versus $10,382 for Fairy Meadow, a difference of $476 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fairy Meadow and Fernhill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Fairy Meadow (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Fernhill (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Fairy Meadow and $1,548 in Fernhill. 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 Fairy Meadow and Fernhill?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,215 from Fairy Meadow and $4,389 from Fernhill to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fairy Meadow and $2,400 from Fernhill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fairy Meadow and Fernhill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fairy Meadow costs a cumulative $119,018 and Fernhill costs $113,561 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,457 in favour of Fernhill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fairy Meadow and Fernhill 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.