Mount Olive vs Sodwalls: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Olive (Oberon rates (OLG) and Sodwalls (Lithgow rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (120.1 km and 117.9 km).
The two sit within $179 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 Olive
Sodwalls
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Olive | Sodwalls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,007 | $1,186 | -$179 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $21,907 | $22,086 | -$179 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,707 | $6,886 | -$179 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mount Olive | Sodwalls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,554 | $2,554 | - |
| Unit | $2,020 | $2,020 | - |
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 — Mount Olive vs Sodwalls (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Olive and Sodwalls cost within $179 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,052, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $179 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,707 and $6,886 a year, so the $179 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Olive cumulative | Sodwalls cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $21,907 | $22,086 | $179 |
| Year 3 | $67,712 | $68,266 | $554 |
| Year 5 | $116,307 | $117,258 | $951 |
| Year 10 | $251,139 | $253,191 | $2,052 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Olive or Sodwalls cheaper to live in?
Mount Olive is cheaper to run by car at $21,907 per year versus $22,086 for Sodwalls, a difference of $179 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Olive and Sodwalls?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,007 in Mount Olive (Oberon rates (OLG) and $1,186 in Sodwalls (Lithgow rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Mount Olive and $1,300 in Sodwalls. 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 Olive and Sodwalls?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Mount Olive and $17,600 from Sodwalls to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mount Olive and $2,400 from Sodwalls.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Olive and Sodwalls?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Olive costs a cumulative $251,139 and Sodwalls costs $253,191 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,052 in favour of Mount Olive. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Olive and Sodwalls 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: Oberon rates (OLG and Lithgow 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.