Macquarie Pass vs Mount Murray, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Macquarie Pass (Shellharbour rates (OLG) and Mount Murray (Wingecarribee rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (92 km and 92.6 km).
The two sit within $103 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, Macquarie Pass costs about $1,200 less to run than Mount Murray. That's about $2 a week.
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Mount Murray
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Macquarie Pass | Mount Murray | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,865 | $2,140 | -$275 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,548 | $1,300 | +$248 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,018 | $4,044 | -$26 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,800 | $1,850 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,231 | $9,334 | -$103 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,613 | $7,690 | -$77 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Macquarie Pass | Mount Murray | 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, Macquarie Pass vs Mount Murray (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Macquarie Pass and Mount Murray cost within $103 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,181, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $275 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,613 and $7,690 a year, so the $103 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Macquarie Pass by $275 a year, $1,865 against $2,140.
- Water and sewerage favours Mount Murray by $248 a year, $1,300 against $1,548.
- Driving commute favours Macquarie Pass by $26 a year, $4,018 against $4,044.
- Building insurance favours Macquarie Pass by $50 a year, $1,800 against $1,850.
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 | Macquarie Pass cumulative | Mount Murray cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,231 | $9,334 | $103 |
| Year 3 | $28,532 | $28,850 | $318 |
| Year 5 | $49,009 | $49,555 | $546 |
| Year 10 | $105,823 | $107,004 | $1,181 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Macquarie Pass or Mount Murray cheaper to live in?
Macquarie Pass is cheaper to run by car at $9,231 per year versus $9,334 for Mount Murray, a difference of $103 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Macquarie Pass and Mount Murray?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,865 in Macquarie Pass (Shellharbour rates (OLG) and $2,140 in Mount Murray (Wingecarribee rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Macquarie Pass and $1,300 in Mount Murray. 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 Macquarie Pass and Mount Murray?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,018 from Macquarie Pass and $4,044 from Mount Murray to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Macquarie Pass and $2,400 from Mount Murray.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Macquarie Pass and Mount Murray?
At 3% annual cost growth, Macquarie Pass costs a cumulative $105,823 and Mount Murray costs $107,004 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,181 in favour of Macquarie Pass. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Macquarie Pass and Mount Murray suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Shellharbour rates (OLG and Wingecarribee rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.