Fairy Meadow vs Towradgi: 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 Towradgi are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 65.2 km and 63.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Fairy Meadow runs $330 a year cheaper than Towradgi, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,783.
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
Towradgi
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fairy Meadow | Towradgi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,076 | $4,406 | -$330 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,243 | $10,573 | -$330 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,567 | $8,567 | - |
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 | Towradgi | 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 Towradgi (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fairy Meadow costs $330 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,783 in favour of Fairy Meadow.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $330 per year. Fairy Meadow is 65.2 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,567 and $8,567 a year, so the $330 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fairy Meadow cumulative | Towradgi cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,243 | $10,573 | $330 |
| Year 3 | $31,660 | $32,680 | $1,020 |
| Year 5 | $54,381 | $56,133 | $1,752 |
| Year 10 | $117,425 | $121,208 | $3,783 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fairy Meadow or Towradgi cheaper to live in?
Fairy Meadow is cheaper to run by car at $10,243 per year versus $10,573 for Towradgi, a difference of $330 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 Towradgi?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Fairy Meadow (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Towradgi (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Fairy Meadow and $1,548 in Towradgi. 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 Towradgi?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,076 from Fairy Meadow and $4,406 from Towradgi to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fairy Meadow and $2,400 from Towradgi.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fairy Meadow and Towradgi?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fairy Meadow costs a cumulative $117,425 and Towradgi costs $121,208 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,783 in favour of Fairy Meadow. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fairy Meadow and Towradgi 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.