Moonee vs Wybung: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Moonee (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and Wybung (Central Coast rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (86.7 km and 83.6 km).
Wybung runs $522 a year cheaper than Moonee, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,984.
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 →Moonee
Wybung
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Moonee | Wybung | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,454 | +$309 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,300 | +$77 |
| Commute (driving) | $3,787 | $3,651 | +$136 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,777 | $9,255 | +$522 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,390 | $8,004 | +$386 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Moonee | Wybung | 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 — Moonee vs Wybung (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wybung costs $522 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,984 in favour of Wybung.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $309 per year.
On public transport the gap is $386 per year, $8,390 from Moonee versus $8,004 from Wybung.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Wybung by $309 a year, $1,454 against $1,763.
- Water and sewerage favours Wybung by $77 a year, $1,300 against $1,377.
- Driving commute favours Wybung by $136 a year, $3,651 against $3,787.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,850 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.
The catchment state school scores 6.6 in Moonee against 4.8 in Wybung, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Moonee cumulative | Wybung cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,777 | $9,255 | $522 |
| Year 3 | $30,220 | $28,606 | $1,614 |
| Year 5 | $51,907 | $49,136 | $2,771 |
| Year 10 | $112,082 | $106,098 | $5,984 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Moonee or Wybung cheaper to live in?
Wybung is cheaper to run by car at $9,255 per year versus $9,777 for Moonee, a difference of $522 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Moonee and Wybung?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Moonee (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Wybung (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Moonee and $1,300 in Wybung. 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 Moonee and Wybung?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,787 from Moonee and $3,651 from Wybung to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Moonee and $2,400 from Wybung.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Moonee and Wybung?
At 3% annual cost growth, Moonee costs a cumulative $112,082 and Wybung costs $106,098 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,984 in favour of Wybung. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Moonee and Wybung 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: Lake Macquarie 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.