Maddens Plains vs Scarborough: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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.
Maddens Plains runs $519 a year cheaper than Scarborough, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,949.
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 →Maddens Plains
Scarborough
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Maddens Plains | Scarborough | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,275 | $6,344 | -$69 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $3,000 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,192 | $12,711 | -$519 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,317 | $8,767 | -$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Maddens Plains | Scarborough | 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 — Maddens Plains vs Scarborough (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Maddens Plains costs $519 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,949 in favour of Maddens Plains.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Scarborough carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $8,317 from Maddens Plains versus $8,767 from Scarborough.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Maddens Plains cumulative | Scarborough cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,192 | $12,711 | $519 |
| Year 3 | $37,684 | $39,288 | $1,604 |
| Year 5 | $64,729 | $67,484 | $2,755 |
| Year 10 | $139,768 | $145,717 | $5,949 |
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 $12,192 per year versus $12,711 for Scarborough, a difference of $519 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $6,275 from Maddens Plains and $6,344 from Scarborough to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $139,768 and Scarborough costs $145,717 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,949 in favour of Maddens Plains. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Maddens Plains and Scarborough 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.