Harrington vs Manning Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Harrington and Manning Point are both Mid-Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 262 km and 259.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Manning Point runs $400 a year cheaper than Harrington, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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 →Harrington
Manning Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Harrington | Manning Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,609 | $1,609 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,100 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $24,009 | $23,609 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,809 | $8,409 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Harrington | Manning Point | 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 — Harrington vs Manning Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Manning Point costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Manning Point.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Harrington carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,809 from Harrington versus $8,409 from Manning Point.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Harrington cumulative | Manning Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $24,009 | $23,609 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $74,209 | $72,973 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $127,467 | $125,343 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $275,236 | $270,651 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Harrington or Manning Point cheaper to live in?
Manning Point is cheaper to run by car at $23,609 per year versus $24,009 for Harrington, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Harrington and Manning Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Harrington (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Manning Point (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Harrington and $1,300 in Manning Point. 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 Harrington and Manning Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Harrington and $17,600 from Manning Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Harrington and $2,400 from Manning Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Harrington and Manning Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Harrington costs a cumulative $275,236 and Manning Point costs $270,651 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Manning Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Harrington and Manning Point 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: Mid-Coast rates (OLG and Mid-Coast 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.