Horsley vs Wongawilli: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Horsley and Wongawilli are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 79.5 km and 79.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $233 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 →Horsley
Wongawilli
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Horsley | Wongawilli | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,358 | $3,341 | +$17 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,400 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,875 | $9,108 | -$233 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,917 | $8,167 | -$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Horsley | Wongawilli | 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 — Horsley vs Wongawilli (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Horsley and Wongawilli cost within $233 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,671, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,917 from Horsley versus $8,167 from Wongawilli.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Horsley cumulative | Wongawilli cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,875 | $9,108 | $233 |
| Year 3 | $27,432 | $28,152 | $720 |
| Year 5 | $47,119 | $48,356 | $1,237 |
| Year 10 | $101,742 | $104,413 | $2,671 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Horsley or Wongawilli cheaper to live in?
Horsley is cheaper to run by car at $8,875 per year versus $9,108 for Wongawilli, a difference of $233 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Horsley and Wongawilli?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Horsley (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Wongawilli (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Horsley and $1,548 in Wongawilli. 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 Horsley and Wongawilli?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,358 from Horsley and $3,341 from Wongawilli to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Horsley and $2,400 from Wongawilli.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Horsley and Wongawilli?
At 3% annual cost growth, Horsley costs a cumulative $101,742 and Wongawilli costs $104,413 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,671 in favour of Horsley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Horsley and Wongawilli 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: 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.