Mount Ousley vs North Wollongong: 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 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 $905 a year cheaper than North Wollongong, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,375.
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.
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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) | $3,837 | $3,792 | +$45 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $3,100 | -$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,354 | $10,259 | -$905 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,917 | $8,867 | -$950 |
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 | North Wollongong | 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 North Wollongong (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Ousley costs $905 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,375 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Ousley cumulative | North Wollongong cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,354 | $10,259 | $905 |
| Year 3 | $28,912 | $31,710 | $2,798 |
| Year 5 | $49,662 | $54,466 | $4,804 |
| Year 10 | $107,233 | $117,608 | $10,375 |
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 $9,354 per year versus $10,259 for North Wollongong, a difference of $905 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 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 $3,837 from Mount Ousley and $3,792 from North Wollongong to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $107,233 and North Wollongong costs $117,608 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,375 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.
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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.