Mollymook vs Narrawallee: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mollymook and Narrawallee are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 176.9 km and 174.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mollymook runs $650 a year cheaper than Narrawallee, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,452.
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 →Mollymook
Narrawallee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mollymook | Narrawallee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $3,100 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,897 | $23,547 | -$650 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,697 | $8,347 | -$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 | Mollymook | Narrawallee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Mollymook vs Narrawallee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mollymook costs $650 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,452 in favour of Mollymook.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Narrawallee carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,697 from Mollymook versus $8,347 from Narrawallee.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mollymook cumulative | Narrawallee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,897 | $23,547 | $650 |
| Year 3 | $70,772 | $72,781 | $2,009 |
| Year 5 | $121,563 | $125,014 | $3,451 |
| Year 10 | $262,488 | $269,940 | $7,452 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mollymook or Narrawallee cheaper to live in?
Mollymook is cheaper to run by car at $22,897 per year versus $23,547 for Narrawallee, a difference of $650 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mollymook and Narrawallee?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Mollymook (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Narrawallee (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Mollymook and $1,300 in Narrawallee. 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 Mollymook and Narrawallee?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Mollymook and $17,600 from Narrawallee to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mollymook and $2,400 from Narrawallee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mollymook and Narrawallee?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mollymook costs a cumulative $262,488 and Narrawallee costs $269,940 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,452 in favour of Mollymook. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mollymook and Narrawallee 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: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Shoalhaven 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.