Marrangaroo vs Wallerawang, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Marrangaroo and Wallerawang are both Lithgow rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 49.9 km and 45.6 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $291 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, Marrangaroo costs about $3,300 less to run than Wallerawang. That's about $6 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Marrangaroo
Wallerawang
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Marrangaroo | Wallerawang | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,186 | $1,186 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,561 | $6,852 | -$291 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,561 | $6,852 | -$291 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,897 | $11,188 | -$291 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,897 | $11,188 | -$291 |
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 | Marrangaroo | Wallerawang | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,857 | $2,857 | - |
| Unit | $2,312 | $2,312 | - |
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, Marrangaroo vs Wallerawang (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Marrangaroo and Wallerawang cost within $291 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,336, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $291 per year. Marrangaroo is 49.9 km from Bathurst CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $291 per year, $10,897 from Marrangaroo versus $11,188 from Wallerawang.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,186 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Marrangaroo by $291 a year, $6,561 against $6,852.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Marrangaroo cumulative | Wallerawang cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,897 | $11,188 | $291 |
| Year 3 | $33,682 | $34,581 | $899 |
| Year 5 | $57,854 | $59,399 | $1,545 |
| Year 10 | $124,922 | $128,258 | $3,336 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marrangaroo or Wallerawang cheaper to live in?
Marrangaroo is cheaper to run by car at $10,897 per year versus $11,188 for Wallerawang, a difference of $291 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Marrangaroo and Wallerawang?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,186 in Marrangaroo (Lithgow rates (OLG) and $1,186 in Wallerawang (Lithgow rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Marrangaroo and $1,300 in Wallerawang. 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 Marrangaroo and Wallerawang?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,561 from Marrangaroo and $6,852 from Wallerawang to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Marrangaroo and Wallerawang?
At 3% annual cost growth, Marrangaroo costs a cumulative $124,922 and Wallerawang costs $128,258 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,336 in favour of Marrangaroo. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Marrangaroo and Wallerawang suits you better?
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Sources: Lithgow rates (OLG and Lithgow 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.