Mount Ousley vs North Wollongong: 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 Ousley and North Wollongong are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 66.3 km and 66.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Ousley runs $903 a year cheaper than North Wollongong, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,352.
Over 10 years, Mount Ousley costs about $10,400 less to run than North Wollongong — the same as paying $10,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Mount Ousley
North Wollongong
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Ousley | North Wollongong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,968 | $3,921 | +$47 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $3,100 | -$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,485 | $10,388 | -$903 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,917 | $8,867 | -$950 |
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 Ousley | North Wollongong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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 Ousley vs North Wollongong (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Ousley costs $903 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,352 in favour of Mount Ousley.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. North Wollongong carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $950 per year, $7,917 from Mount Ousley versus $8,867 from North Wollongong.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,819 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Wollongong by $47 a year, $3,921 against $3,968.
- Building insurance favours Mount Ousley by $950 a year, $2,150 against $3,100.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in North Wollongong against medium in Mount Ousley, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in North Wollongong against low in Mount Ousley, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Ousley cumulative | North Wollongong cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,485 | $10,388 | $903 |
| Year 3 | $29,317 | $32,108 | $2,791 |
| Year 5 | $50,357 | $55,151 | $4,794 |
| Year 10 | $108,735 | $119,087 | $10,352 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Ousley or North Wollongong cheaper to live in?
Mount Ousley is cheaper to run by car at $9,485 per year versus $10,388 for North Wollongong, a difference of $903 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Ousley and North Wollongong?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Mount Ousley (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in North Wollongong (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Mount Ousley and $1,548 in North Wollongong. 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 North Wollongong?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,968 from Mount Ousley and $3,921 from North Wollongong to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mount Ousley and $2,400 from North Wollongong.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Ousley and North Wollongong?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Ousley costs a cumulative $108,735 and North Wollongong costs $119,087 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,352 in favour of Mount Ousley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Ousley and North Wollongong 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.