Figtree vs Mangerton, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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.
The two sit within $200 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 the gap between these two is about $2,300, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Mangerton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Figtree | Mangerton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,084 | $3,084 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,400 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,051 | $7,851 | +$200 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,367 | $7,167 | +$200 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Figtree | Mangerton | 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, Figtree vs Mangerton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Figtree and Mangerton differ by $200 a year by car, but $200 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $0, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year. Figtree carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,367 from Figtree versus $7,167 from Mangerton.
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 is identical at $3,084 a year.
- Building insurance favours Mangerton by $200 a year, $1,400 against $1,600.
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 the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Figtree against low in Mangerton, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Figtree cumulative | Mangerton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,051 | $7,851 | $200 |
| Year 3 | $24,885 | $24,267 | $618 |
| Year 5 | $42,744 | $41,682 | $1,062 |
| Year 10 | $92,296 | $90,003 | $2,293 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Figtree or Mangerton cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Figtree runs $8,051 a year by car and Mangerton $7,851, but most of the $200 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $0. 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 $3,084 from Figtree and $3,084 from Mangerton to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $92,296 and Mangerton costs $90,003 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,293 in favour of Mangerton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Figtree and Mangerton suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.