Mungay Creek vs Willawarrin: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mungay Creek and Willawarrin are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 355.8 km and 351.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Willawarrin runs $400 a year cheaper than Mungay Creek, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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 →Mungay Creek
Willawarrin
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mungay Creek | Willawarrin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,492 | $1,492 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,792 | $22,392 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,592 | $7,192 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mungay Creek | Willawarrin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
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 — Mungay Creek vs Willawarrin (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Willawarrin costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Willawarrin.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,592 from Mungay Creek versus $7,192 from Willawarrin.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mungay Creek cumulative | Willawarrin cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,792 | $22,392 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $70,448 | $69,211 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $121,006 | $118,882 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $261,285 | $256,699 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mungay Creek or Willawarrin cheaper to live in?
Willawarrin is cheaper to run by car at $22,392 per year versus $22,792 for Mungay Creek, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mungay Creek and Willawarrin?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Mungay Creek (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in Willawarrin (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Mungay Creek and $1,300 in Willawarrin. 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 Mungay Creek and Willawarrin?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Mungay Creek and $17,600 from Willawarrin to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mungay Creek and $2,400 from Willawarrin.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mungay Creek and Willawarrin?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mungay Creek costs a cumulative $261,285 and Willawarrin costs $256,699 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Willawarrin. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mungay Creek and Willawarrin 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: Kempsey rates (OLG and Kempsey 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.