Maddens Plains vs Scarborough, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Maddens Plains and Scarborough are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 50.7 km and 49.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $71 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.
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Scarborough
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Maddens Plains | Scarborough | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,489 | $6,560 | -$71 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $1,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,806 | $11,877 | -$71 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,717 | $7,717 | - |
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 | Maddens Plains | Scarborough | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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, Maddens Plains vs Scarborough (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Maddens Plains and Scarborough cost within $71 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $813, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $71 per year. Maddens Plains is 50.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,717 and $7,717 a year, so the $71 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,819 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Maddens Plains by $71 a year, $6,489 against $6,560.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,950 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
Flood risk is rated medium in Scarborough against low in Maddens Plains, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Maddens Plains cumulative | Scarborough cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,806 | $11,877 | $71 |
| Year 3 | $36,491 | $36,711 | $220 |
| Year 5 | $62,680 | $63,057 | $377 |
| Year 10 | $135,343 | $136,156 | $813 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maddens Plains or Scarborough cheaper to live in?
Maddens Plains is cheaper to run by car at $11,806 per year versus $11,877 for Scarborough, a difference of $71 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Maddens Plains and Scarborough?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Maddens Plains (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Scarborough (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Maddens Plains and $1,548 in Scarborough. 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 Maddens Plains and Scarborough?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,489 from Maddens Plains and $6,560 from Scarborough to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Maddens Plains and $2,400 from Scarborough.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Maddens Plains and Scarborough?
At 3% annual cost growth, Maddens Plains costs a cumulative $135,343 and Scarborough costs $136,156 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $813 in favour of Maddens Plains. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Maddens Plains and Scarborough suits you better?
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Sources: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.