Longreach vs Mundamia: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Longreach and Mundamia are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 127.9 km and 127.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mundamia runs $1,100 a year cheaper than Longreach, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,611.
Over 10 years, Mundamia costs about $12,600 less to run than Longreach — the same as paying $12,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Longreach
Mundamia
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Longreach | Mundamia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $2,400 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,947 | $22,847 | +$1,100 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,747 | $7,647 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Longreach | Mundamia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Longreach vs Mundamia (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mundamia costs $1,100 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,611 in favour of Mundamia.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Longreach carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $8,747 from Longreach versus $7,647 from Mundamia.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Longreach cumulative | Mundamia cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,947 | $22,847 | $1,100 |
| Year 3 | $74,018 | $70,618 | $3,400 |
| Year 5 | $127,138 | $121,298 | $5,840 |
| Year 10 | $274,526 | $261,915 | $12,611 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Longreach or Mundamia cheaper to live in?
Mundamia is cheaper to run by car at $22,847 per year versus $23,947 for Longreach, a difference of $1,100 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Longreach and Mundamia?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Longreach (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Mundamia (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Longreach and $1,300 in Mundamia. 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 Longreach and Mundamia?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Longreach and $17,600 from Mundamia to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Longreach and $2,400 from Mundamia.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Longreach and Mundamia?
At 3% annual cost growth, Longreach costs a cumulative $274,526 and Mundamia costs $261,915 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,611 in favour of Mundamia. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Longreach and Mundamia 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: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Shoalhaven 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.