Maldon vs Tahmoor: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Maldon and Tahmoor are both Wollondilly rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 64.3 km and 69 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tahmoor runs $1,458 a year cheaper than Maldon, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $16,715.
Over 10 years, Tahmoor costs about $16,700 less to run than Maldon — the same as paying $16,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Tahmoor
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Maldon | Tahmoor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,195 | $2,195 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,264 | $3,206 | +$1,058 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,407 | $8,949 | +$1,458 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,543 | $8,143 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Maldon | Tahmoor | 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 — Maldon vs Tahmoor (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tahmoor costs $1,458 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $16,715 in favour of Tahmoor.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,058 per year. Tahmoor is 69 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,543 from Maldon versus $8,143 from Tahmoor.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Maldon cumulative | Tahmoor cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,407 | $8,949 | $1,458 |
| Year 3 | $32,167 | $27,660 | $4,507 |
| Year 5 | $55,252 | $47,511 | $7,741 |
| Year 10 | $119,305 | $102,590 | $16,715 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maldon or Tahmoor cheaper to live in?
Tahmoor is cheaper to run by car at $8,949 per year versus $10,407 for Maldon, a difference of $1,458 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Maldon and Tahmoor?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,195 in Maldon (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and $2,195 in Tahmoor (Wollondilly rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Maldon and $1,548 in Tahmoor. 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 Maldon and Tahmoor?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,264 from Maldon and $3,206 from Tahmoor to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Maldon and $2,400 from Tahmoor.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Maldon and Tahmoor?
At 3% annual cost growth, Maldon costs a cumulative $119,305 and Tahmoor costs $102,590 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $16,715 in favour of Tahmoor. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Maldon and Tahmoor is best to actually live in?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Wollondilly rates (OLG and Wollondilly 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.