Figtree vs Mangerton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Figtree and Mangerton are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 69.9 km and 69.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mangerton runs $300 a year cheaper than Figtree, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Figtree
Mangerton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Figtree | Mangerton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,982 | $2,982 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,150 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,799 | $8,499 | +$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,217 | $7,917 | +$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 | Figtree | Mangerton | 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 — Figtree vs Mangerton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mangerton costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Mangerton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Figtree carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,217 from Figtree versus $7,917 from Mangerton.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Figtree cumulative | Mangerton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,799 | $8,499 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $27,197 | $26,270 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $46,715 | $45,122 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $100,871 | $97,432 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Figtree or Mangerton cheaper to live in?
Mangerton is cheaper to run by car at $8,499 per year versus $8,799 for Figtree, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Figtree and Mangerton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Figtree (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Mangerton (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Figtree and $1,548 in Mangerton. 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 Figtree and Mangerton?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,982 from Figtree and $2,982 from Mangerton to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Figtree and $2,400 from Mangerton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Figtree and Mangerton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Figtree costs a cumulative $100,871 and Mangerton costs $97,432 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Mangerton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Figtree and Mangerton 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.