Matcham vs Mount Elliot: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Matcham and Mount Elliot are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 54.7 km and 54.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Elliot runs $450 a year cheaper than Matcham, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,158.
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 →Matcham
Mount Elliot
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Matcham | Mount Elliot | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,045 | $6,045 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,550 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,799 | $11,349 | +$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,154 | $7,704 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Matcham | Mount Elliot | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Matcham vs Mount Elliot (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Elliot costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,158 in favour of Mount Elliot.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Matcham carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $8,154 from Matcham versus $7,704 from Mount Elliot.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,454 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $6,045 a year.
- Building insurance favours Mount Elliot by $450 a year, $2,550 against $3,000.
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 the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Matcham against low in Mount Elliot, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Matcham cumulative | Mount Elliot cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,799 | $11,349 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $36,470 | $35,079 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $62,642 | $60,253 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $135,262 | $130,104 | $5,158 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Matcham or Mount Elliot cheaper to live in?
Mount Elliot is cheaper to run by car at $11,349 per year versus $11,799 for Matcham, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Matcham and Mount Elliot?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Matcham (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Mount Elliot (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Matcham and $1,300 in Mount Elliot. 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 Matcham and Mount Elliot?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,045 from Matcham and $6,045 from Mount Elliot to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Matcham and $2,400 from Mount Elliot.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Matcham and Mount Elliot?
At 3% annual cost growth, Matcham costs a cumulative $135,262 and Mount Elliot costs $130,104 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,158 in favour of Mount Elliot. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Matcham and Mount Elliot 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: Central Coast rates (OLG and Central Coast rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.