Fairy Meadow vs North Wollongong: 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 North Wollongong are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 65.2 km and 66.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $16 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 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
North Wollongong
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fairy Meadow | North Wollongong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,076 | $3,792 | +$284 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,243 | $10,259 | -$16 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,567 | $8,867 | -$300 |
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 | North Wollongong | 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 North Wollongong (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fairy Meadow and North Wollongong cost within $16 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $183, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. North Wollongong carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,567 from Fairy Meadow versus $8,867 from North Wollongong.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fairy Meadow cumulative | North Wollongong cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,243 | $10,259 | $16 |
| Year 3 | $31,660 | $31,710 | $50 |
| Year 5 | $54,381 | $54,466 | $85 |
| Year 10 | $117,425 | $117,608 | $183 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fairy Meadow or North Wollongong cheaper to live in?
Fairy Meadow is cheaper to run by car at $10,243 per year versus $10,259 for North Wollongong, a difference of $16 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 North Wollongong?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Fairy Meadow (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in North Wollongong (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Fairy Meadow and $1,548 in North Wollongong. 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 North Wollongong?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,076 from Fairy Meadow and $3,792 from North Wollongong to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fairy Meadow and $2,400 from North Wollongong.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fairy Meadow and North Wollongong?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fairy Meadow costs a cumulative $117,425 and North Wollongong costs $117,608 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $183 in favour of Fairy Meadow. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fairy Meadow and North Wollongong 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.
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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.