Mangerton vs Mount Saint Thomas: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mangerton and Mount Saint Thomas are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 69.9 km and 70.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mangerton runs $304 a year cheaper than Mount Saint Thomas, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,485.
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 →Mangerton
Mount Saint Thomas
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mangerton | Mount Saint Thomas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,982 | $2,986 | -$4 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,450 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,499 | $8,803 | -$304 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,917 | $8,217 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mangerton | Mount Saint Thomas | 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 — Mangerton vs Mount Saint Thomas (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mangerton costs $304 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,485 in favour of Mangerton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Mount Saint Thomas carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,917 from Mangerton versus $8,217 from Mount Saint Thomas.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mangerton cumulative | Mount Saint Thomas cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,499 | $8,803 | $304 |
| Year 3 | $26,270 | $27,209 | $939 |
| Year 5 | $45,122 | $46,736 | $1,614 |
| Year 10 | $97,432 | $100,917 | $3,485 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mangerton or Mount Saint Thomas cheaper to live in?
Mangerton is cheaper to run by car at $8,499 per year versus $8,803 for Mount Saint Thomas, a difference of $304 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mangerton and Mount Saint Thomas?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Mangerton (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Mount Saint Thomas (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Mangerton and $1,548 in Mount Saint Thomas. 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 Mangerton and Mount Saint Thomas?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,982 from Mangerton and $2,986 from Mount Saint Thomas to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mangerton and $2,400 from Mount Saint Thomas.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mangerton and Mount Saint Thomas?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mangerton costs a cumulative $97,432 and Mount Saint Thomas costs $100,917 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,485 in favour of Mangerton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mangerton and Mount Saint Thomas 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.