Illawong vs Menai: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Illawong and Menai are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 21.5 km and 23.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Menai runs $377 a year cheaper than Illawong, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,322.
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 →Illawong
Menai
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Illawong | Menai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,313 | $5,636 | -$323 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $2,550 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,728 | $11,351 | +$377 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,815 | $8,115 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Illawong | Menai | 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 — Illawong vs Menai (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Menai costs $377 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,322 in favour of Menai.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Illawong carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $8,815 from Illawong versus $8,115 from Menai.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Illawong cumulative | Menai cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,728 | $11,351 | $377 |
| Year 3 | $36,250 | $35,085 | $1,165 |
| Year 5 | $62,266 | $60,264 | $2,002 |
| Year 10 | $134,448 | $130,126 | $4,322 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Illawong or Menai cheaper to live in?
Menai is cheaper to run by car at $11,351 per year versus $11,728 for Illawong, a difference of $377 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Illawong and Menai?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Illawong (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Menai (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Illawong and $1,548 in Menai. 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 Illawong and Menai?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,313 from Illawong and $5,636 from Menai to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Illawong and $2,400 from Menai.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Illawong and Menai?
At 3% annual cost growth, Illawong costs a cumulative $134,448 and Menai costs $130,126 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,322 in favour of Menai. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Illawong and Menai 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: Sutherland rates (OLG and Sutherland 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.