Aylmerton vs Willow Vale: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Aylmerton and Willow Vale are both Wingecarribee rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 89.9 km and 92.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $118 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 →Aylmerton
Willow Vale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Aylmerton | Willow Vale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,140 | $2,140 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,926 | $4,044 | -$118 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,366 | $9,484 | -$118 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,840 | $7,840 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Aylmerton | Willow Vale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Aylmerton vs Willow Vale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Aylmerton and Willow Vale cost within $118 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,352, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $118 per year. Willow Vale is 92.6 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,840 and $7,840 a year, so the $118 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,140 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Aylmerton by $118 a year, $3,926 against $4,044.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,000 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 5.8 in Willow Vale against 4.8 in Aylmerton, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Aylmerton cumulative | Willow Vale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,366 | $9,484 | $118 |
| Year 3 | $28,949 | $29,314 | $365 |
| Year 5 | $49,725 | $50,352 | $627 |
| Year 10 | $107,371 | $108,723 | $1,352 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aylmerton or Willow Vale cheaper to live in?
Aylmerton is cheaper to run by car at $9,366 per year versus $9,484 for Willow Vale, a difference of $118 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Aylmerton and Willow Vale?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,140 in Aylmerton (Wingecarribee rates (OLG) and $2,140 in Willow Vale (Wingecarribee rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Aylmerton and $1,300 in Willow Vale. 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 Aylmerton and Willow Vale?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,926 from Aylmerton and $4,044 from Willow Vale to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Aylmerton and $2,400 from Willow Vale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Aylmerton and Willow Vale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Aylmerton costs a cumulative $107,371 and Willow Vale costs $108,723 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,352 in favour of Aylmerton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Aylmerton and Willow Vale 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: Wingecarribee rates (OLG and Wingecarribee 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.