Mount Ousley vs Mount Pleasant: 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 Ousley and Mount Pleasant are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 66.3 km and 66.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $150 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 Ousley
Mount Pleasant
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Ousley | Mount Pleasant | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,837 | $3,837 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,000 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,354 | $9,204 | +$150 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,917 | $7,767 | +$150 |
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 Ousley | Mount Pleasant | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 Ousley vs Mount Pleasant (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Ousley and Mount Pleasant cost within $150 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,719, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. Mount Ousley carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,917 and $7,767 a year, so the $150 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Ousley cumulative | Mount Pleasant cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,354 | $9,204 | $150 |
| Year 3 | $28,912 | $28,449 | $463 |
| Year 5 | $49,662 | $48,865 | $797 |
| Year 10 | $107,233 | $105,514 | $1,719 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Ousley or Mount Pleasant cheaper to live in?
Mount Pleasant is cheaper to run by car at $9,204 per year versus $9,354 for Mount Ousley, a difference of $150 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Ousley and Mount Pleasant?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Mount Ousley (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Mount Pleasant (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Mount Ousley and $1,548 in Mount Pleasant. 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 Ousley and Mount Pleasant?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,837 from Mount Ousley and $3,837 from Mount Pleasant to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mount Ousley and $2,400 from Mount Pleasant.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Ousley and Mount Pleasant?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Ousley costs a cumulative $107,233 and Mount Pleasant costs $105,514 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,719 in favour of Mount Pleasant. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Ousley and Mount Pleasant 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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.