Fairy Meadow vs Mount Ousley: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Fairy Meadow and Mount Ousley are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 65.2 km and 66.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Ousley runs $889 a year cheaper than Fairy Meadow, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,192.
Over 10 years, Mount Ousley costs about $10,200 less to run than Fairy Meadow — the same as paying $10,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Fairy Meadow
Mount Ousley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fairy Meadow | Mount Ousley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,076 | $3,837 | +$239 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,150 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,243 | $9,354 | +$889 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,567 | $7,917 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Fairy Meadow | Mount Ousley | 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 — Fairy Meadow vs Mount Ousley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Ousley costs $889 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,192 in favour of Mount Ousley.
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 Mount Ousley.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fairy Meadow cumulative | Mount Ousley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,243 | $9,354 | $889 |
| Year 3 | $31,660 | $28,912 | $2,748 |
| Year 5 | $54,381 | $49,662 | $4,719 |
| Year 10 | $117,425 | $107,233 | $10,192 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fairy Meadow or Mount Ousley cheaper to live in?
Mount Ousley is cheaper to run by car at $9,354 per year versus $10,243 for Fairy Meadow, a difference of $889 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fairy Meadow and Mount Ousley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Fairy Meadow (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Mount Ousley (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Fairy Meadow and $1,548 in Mount Ousley. 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 Mount Ousley?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,076 from Fairy Meadow and $3,837 from Mount Ousley to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fairy Meadow and $2,400 from Mount Ousley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fairy Meadow and Mount Ousley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fairy Meadow costs a cumulative $117,425 and Mount Ousley costs $107,233 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,192 in favour of Mount Ousley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fairy Meadow and Mount Ousley 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.