Milsons Passage vs Mooney Mooney: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Milsons Passage (Hornsby rates (OLG) and Mooney Mooney (Central Coast rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (39.8 km and 38.3 km).
Mooney Mooney runs $347 a year cheaper than Milsons Passage, driven mostly by water. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,978.
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 →Milsons Passage
Mooney Mooney
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Milsons Passage | Mooney Mooney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $1,454 | +$87 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,300 | +$248 |
| Commute (driving) | $6,988 | $6,976 | +$12 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $3,250 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,327 | $12,980 | +$347 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,739 | $8,404 | +$335 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Milsons Passage | Mooney Mooney | 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 — Milsons Passage vs Mooney Mooney (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mooney Mooney costs $347 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,978 in favour of Mooney Mooney.
The biggest single gap is water and sewerage at $248 per year.
On public transport the gap is $335 per year, $8,739 from Milsons Passage versus $8,404 from Mooney Mooney.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Mooney Mooney by $87 a year, $1,454 against $1,541.
- Water and sewerage favours Mooney Mooney by $248 a year, $1,300 against $1,548.
- Driving commute favours Mooney Mooney by $12 a year, $6,976 against $6,988.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,250 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Milsons Passage cumulative | Mooney Mooney cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,327 | $12,980 | $347 |
| Year 3 | $41,192 | $40,120 | $1,072 |
| Year 5 | $70,755 | $68,913 | $1,842 |
| Year 10 | $152,779 | $148,801 | $3,978 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Milsons Passage or Mooney Mooney cheaper to live in?
Mooney Mooney is cheaper to run by car at $12,980 per year versus $13,327 for Milsons Passage, a difference of $347 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Milsons Passage and Mooney Mooney?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Milsons Passage (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Mooney Mooney (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Milsons Passage and $1,300 in Mooney Mooney. 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 Milsons Passage and Mooney Mooney?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,988 from Milsons Passage and $6,976 from Mooney Mooney to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Milsons Passage and $2,400 from Mooney Mooney.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Milsons Passage and Mooney Mooney?
At 3% annual cost growth, Milsons Passage costs a cumulative $152,779 and Mooney Mooney costs $148,801 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,978 in favour of Mooney Mooney. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Milsons Passage and Mooney Mooney 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: Hornsby 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.