Figtree vs Mount Keira, 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 Mount Keira are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 69.9 km and 68.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $282 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, Figtree costs about $3,200 less to run than Mount Keira. That's about $6 a week.
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Mount Keira
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Figtree | Mount Keira | 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 | $3,416 | -$332 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,550 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,051 | $8,333 | -$282 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,367 | $7,317 | +$50 |
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 | Mount Keira | 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 Mount Keira (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Figtree and Mount Keira cost within $282 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,233, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $332 per year. Figtree is 69.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,367 and $7,317 a year, so the $282 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 favours Figtree by $332 a year, $3,084 against $3,416.
- Building insurance favours Mount Keira by $50 a year, $1,550 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 commute distance and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Figtree against low in Mount Keira, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Mount Keira against medium in Figtree, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Figtree cumulative | Mount Keira cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,051 | $8,333 | $282 |
| Year 3 | $24,885 | $25,756 | $871 |
| Year 5 | $42,744 | $44,241 | $1,497 |
| Year 10 | $92,296 | $95,529 | $3,233 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Figtree or Mount Keira cheaper to live in?
Figtree is cheaper to run by car at $8,051 per year versus $8,333 for Mount Keira, a difference of $282 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Figtree and Mount Keira?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Figtree (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Mount Keira (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Figtree and $1,548 in Mount Keira. 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 Mount Keira?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,084 from Figtree and $3,416 from Mount Keira to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Figtree and $2,400 from Mount Keira.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Figtree and Mount Keira?
At 3% annual cost growth, Figtree costs a cumulative $92,296 and Mount Keira costs $95,529 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,233 in favour of Figtree. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Figtree and Mount Keira 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.