Mangerton vs Spring Hill: 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 Spring Hill are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 69.9 km and 72.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mangerton runs $714 a year cheaper than Spring Hill, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,185.
Over 10 years, Mangerton costs about $8,200 less to run than Spring Hill — the same as paying $8,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Spring Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mangerton | Spring Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,982 | $3,046 | -$64 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,800 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,499 | $9,213 | -$714 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,917 | $8,567 | -$650 |
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 | Spring Hill | 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 Spring Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mangerton costs $714 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,185 in favour of Mangerton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Spring Hill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,917 from Mangerton versus $8,567 from Spring Hill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mangerton cumulative | Spring Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,499 | $9,213 | $714 |
| Year 3 | $26,270 | $28,476 | $2,206 |
| Year 5 | $45,122 | $48,913 | $3,791 |
| Year 10 | $97,432 | $105,617 | $8,185 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mangerton or Spring Hill cheaper to live in?
Mangerton is cheaper to run by car at $8,499 per year versus $9,213 for Spring Hill, a difference of $714 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mangerton and Spring Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Mangerton (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Spring Hill (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Mangerton and $1,548 in Spring Hill. 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 Spring Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,982 from Mangerton and $3,046 from Spring Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mangerton and $2,400 from Spring Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mangerton and Spring Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mangerton costs a cumulative $97,432 and Spring Hill costs $105,617 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,185 in favour of Mangerton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mangerton and Spring Hill 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.