Mcleans Ridges vs Wollongbar: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mcleans Ridges and Wollongbar are both Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in suburbs, sitting 601.9 km and 598.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wollongbar runs $300 a year cheaper than Mcleans Ridges, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Mcleans Ridges
Wollongbar
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mcleans Ridges | Wollongbar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,384 | $1,384 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $1,700 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,284 | $21,984 | +$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,084 | $6,784 | +$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 | Mcleans Ridges | Wollongbar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
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 — Mcleans Ridges vs Wollongbar (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wollongbar costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Wollongbar.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,084 from Mcleans Ridges versus $6,784 from Wollongbar.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mcleans Ridges cumulative | Wollongbar cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,284 | $21,984 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $68,878 | $67,950 | $928 |
| Year 5 | $118,309 | $116,716 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $255,461 | $252,022 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mcleans Ridges or Wollongbar cheaper to live in?
Wollongbar is cheaper to run by car at $21,984 per year versus $22,284 for Mcleans Ridges, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mcleans Ridges and Wollongbar?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Mcleans Ridges (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,384 in Wollongbar (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Mcleans Ridges and $1,300 in Wollongbar. 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 Mcleans Ridges and Wollongbar?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Mcleans Ridges and $17,600 from Wollongbar to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mcleans Ridges and $2,400 from Wollongbar.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mcleans Ridges and Wollongbar?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mcleans Ridges costs a cumulative $255,461 and Wollongbar costs $252,022 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Wollongbar. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mcleans Ridges and Wollongbar 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: Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in and Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in 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.