Phegans Bay vs Woy Woy Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Phegans Bay and Woy Woy Bay are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 43.1 km and 44.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Woy Woy Bay runs $685 a year cheaper than Phegans Bay, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,853.
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 →Phegans Bay
Woy Woy Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Phegans Bay | Woy Woy Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,947 | $6,912 | +$35 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,650 | $3,000 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,351 | $12,666 | +$685 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,804 | $8,154 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Phegans Bay | Woy Woy Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Phegans Bay vs Woy Woy Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Woy Woy Bay costs $685 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,853 in favour of Woy Woy Bay.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Phegans Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $8,804 from Phegans Bay versus $8,154 from Woy Woy Bay.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,454 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Woy Woy Bay by $35 a year, $6,912 against $6,947.
- Building insurance favours Woy Woy Bay by $650 a year, $3,000 against $3,650.
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 Phegans Bay against medium in Woy Woy Bay, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Phegans Bay cumulative | Woy Woy Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,351 | $12,666 | $685 |
| Year 3 | $41,267 | $39,149 | $2,118 |
| Year 5 | $70,882 | $67,246 | $3,636 |
| Year 10 | $153,054 | $145,201 | $7,853 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Phegans Bay or Woy Woy Bay cheaper to live in?
Woy Woy Bay is cheaper to run by car at $12,666 per year versus $13,351 for Phegans Bay, a difference of $685 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Phegans Bay and Woy Woy Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Phegans Bay (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Woy Woy Bay (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Phegans Bay and $1,300 in Woy Woy Bay. 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 Phegans Bay and Woy Woy Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,947 from Phegans Bay and $6,912 from Woy Woy Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Phegans Bay and $2,400 from Woy Woy Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Phegans Bay and Woy Woy Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Phegans Bay costs a cumulative $153,054 and Woy Woy Bay costs $145,201 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,853 in favour of Woy Woy Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Phegans Bay and Woy Woy Bay 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: Central Coast rates (OLG and Central Coast 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.