Figtree vs West Wollongong: 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 West Wollongong are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 69.9 km and 69.5 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 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
West Wollongong
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Figtree | West Wollongong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,982 | $3,082 | -$100 |
| 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 | $8,599 | +$200 |
| 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 | West Wollongong | 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 West Wollongong (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Figtree and West Wollongong cost within $200 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,293, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
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 West Wollongong.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Figtree cumulative | West Wollongong cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,799 | $8,599 | $200 |
| Year 3 | $27,197 | $26,579 | $618 |
| Year 5 | $46,715 | $45,653 | $1,062 |
| Year 10 | $100,871 | $98,578 | $2,293 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Figtree or West Wollongong cheaper to live in?
West Wollongong is cheaper to run by car at $8,599 per year versus $8,799 for Figtree, a difference of $200 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Figtree and West Wollongong?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Figtree (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in West Wollongong (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Figtree and $1,548 in West Wollongong. 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 West Wollongong?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,982 from Figtree and $3,082 from West Wollongong to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Figtree and $2,400 from West Wollongong.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Figtree and West Wollongong?
At 3% annual cost growth, Figtree costs a cumulative $100,871 and West Wollongong costs $98,578 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,293 in favour of West Wollongong. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Figtree and West Wollongong 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.