Mount Austin vs Tolland: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Austin and Tolland are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 3.2 km and 4.2 km from Wagga Wagga CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $18 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Mount Austin
Tolland
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Austin | Tolland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,073 | $1,391 | -$318 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $1,700 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,667 | $5,685 | -$18 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,994 | $6,694 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mount Austin | Tolland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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 — Mount Austin vs Tolland (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Austin and Tolland cost within $18 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $206, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $318 per year. Tolland is 4.2 km from Wagga Wagga CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,994 from Mount Austin versus $6,694 from Tolland.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,294 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mount Austin by $318 a year, $1,073 against $1,391.
- Building insurance favours Tolland by $300 a year, $1,700 against $2,000.
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 commute distance and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Mount Austin against low in Tolland, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Austin cumulative | Tolland cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,667 | $5,685 | $18 |
| Year 3 | $17,516 | $17,572 | $56 |
| Year 5 | $30,087 | $30,182 | $95 |
| Year 10 | $64,966 | $65,172 | $206 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Austin or Tolland cheaper to live in?
Mount Austin is cheaper to run by car at $5,667 per year versus $5,685 for Tolland, a difference of $18 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Austin and Tolland?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Mount Austin (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Tolland (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Mount Austin and $1,300 in Tolland. 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 Mount Austin and Tolland?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,073 from Mount Austin and $1,391 from Tolland to Wagga Wagga CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mount Austin and $2,400 from Tolland.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Austin and Tolland?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Austin costs a cumulative $64,966 and Tolland costs $65,172 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $206 in favour of Mount Austin. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Austin and Tolland 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: Wagga Wagga rates (OLG and Wagga Wagga 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.