Figtree vs Mount Kembla, 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 Kembla are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 69.9 km and 71.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $248 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 $2,800, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Mount Kembla
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Figtree | Mount Kembla | 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 | $3,132 | -$48 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,800 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,051 | $8,299 | -$248 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,367 | $7,567 | -$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 | Mount Kembla | 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 Kembla (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Figtree and Mount Kembla differ by $248 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 $48, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,367 from Figtree versus $7,567 from Mount Kembla.
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 $48 a year, $3,084 against $3,132.
- Building insurance favours Figtree by $200 a year, $1,600 against $1,800.
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 Kembla, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Mount Kembla against medium in Figtree, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Figtree cumulative | Mount Kembla cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,051 | $8,299 | $248 |
| Year 3 | $24,885 | $25,651 | $766 |
| Year 5 | $42,744 | $44,061 | $1,317 |
| Year 10 | $92,296 | $95,139 | $2,843 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Figtree or Mount Kembla cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Figtree runs $8,051 a year by car and Mount Kembla $8,299, but most of the $248 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $48. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Figtree and Mount Kembla?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Figtree (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Mount Kembla (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Figtree and $1,548 in Mount Kembla. 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 Kembla?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,084 from Figtree and $3,132 from Mount Kembla to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Figtree and $2,400 from Mount Kembla.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Figtree and Mount Kembla?
At 3% annual cost growth, Figtree costs a cumulative $92,296 and Mount Kembla costs $95,139 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,843 in favour of Figtree. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Figtree and Mount Kembla 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.