Gilead vs Menangle: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gilead (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and Menangle (Wollondilly rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (49.2 km and 52.1 km).
Gilead runs $428 a year cheaper than Menangle, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,907.
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 →Gilead
Menangle
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gilead | Menangle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,497 | $2,195 | -$698 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,619 | $6,349 | +$270 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,814 | $12,242 | -$428 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,595 | $8,293 | -$698 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Gilead | Menangle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Gilead vs Menangle (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gilead costs $428 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,907 in favour of Gilead.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $698 per year.
On public transport the gap is $698 per year, $7,595 from Gilead versus $8,293 from Menangle.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Gilead by $698 a year, $1,497 against $2,195.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Menangle by $270 a year, $6,349 against $6,619.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gilead cumulative | Menangle cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,814 | $12,242 | $428 |
| Year 3 | $36,516 | $37,839 | $1,323 |
| Year 5 | $62,722 | $64,994 | $2,272 |
| Year 10 | $135,434 | $140,341 | $4,907 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gilead or Menangle cheaper to live in?
Gilead is cheaper to run by car at $11,814 per year versus $12,242 for Menangle, a difference of $428 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gilead and Menangle?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Gilead (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $2,195 in Menangle (Wollondilly rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Gilead and $1,548 in Menangle. 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 Gilead and Menangle?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,619 from Gilead and $6,349 from Menangle to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Gilead and $2,400 from Menangle.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gilead and Menangle?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gilead costs a cumulative $135,434 and Menangle costs $140,341 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,907 in favour of Gilead. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gilead and Menangle 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Campbelltown rates (OLG and Wollondilly rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.