Figtree vs West Wollongong, 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 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 $97 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.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Figtree
West Wollongong
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Figtree | West Wollongong | 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 | $3,187 | -$103 |
| 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 | $7,954 | +$97 |
| 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 | West Wollongong | 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 West Wollongong (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Figtree and West Wollongong cost within $97 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,112, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
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 West Wollongong.
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 $103 a year, $3,084 against $3,187.
- Building insurance favours West Wollongong 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 commute distance and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Figtree against low in West Wollongong, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Figtree cumulative | West Wollongong cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,051 | $7,954 | $97 |
| Year 3 | $24,885 | $24,585 | $300 |
| Year 5 | $42,744 | $42,229 | $515 |
| Year 10 | $92,296 | $91,184 | $1,112 |
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 $7,954 per year versus $8,051 for Figtree, a difference of $97 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $3,084 from Figtree and $3,187 from West Wollongong to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $92,296 and West Wollongong costs $91,184 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,112 in favour of West Wollongong. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Figtree and West Wollongong 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.