Cobbitty vs Theresa Park, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cobbitty and Theresa Park are both Wollondilly rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 52.1 km and 54.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $33 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.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Cobbitty
Theresa Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cobbitty | Theresa Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $2,195 | $2,195 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,349 | $6,032 | +$317 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $2,200 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,942 | $11,975 | -$33 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,993 | $8,343 | -$350 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cobbitty | Theresa Park | 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, Cobbitty vs Theresa Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cobbitty and Theresa Park cost within $33 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $378, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year. Theresa Park carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $7,993 from Cobbitty versus $8,343 from Theresa Park.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,195 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Theresa Park by $317 a year, $6,032 against $6,349.
- Building insurance favours Cobbitty by $350 a year, $1,850 against $2,200.
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 medium in Theresa Park against low in Cobbitty, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cobbitty cumulative | Theresa Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,942 | $11,975 | $33 |
| Year 3 | $36,912 | $37,014 | $102 |
| Year 5 | $63,402 | $63,577 | $175 |
| Year 10 | $136,902 | $137,280 | $378 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cobbitty or Theresa Park cheaper to live in?
Cobbitty is cheaper to run by car at $11,942 per year versus $11,975 for Theresa Park, a difference of $33 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cobbitty and Theresa Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,195 in Cobbitty (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and $2,195 in Theresa Park (Wollondilly rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cobbitty and $1,548 in Theresa Park. 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 Cobbitty and Theresa Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,349 from Cobbitty and $6,032 from Theresa Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cobbitty and $2,400 from Theresa Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cobbitty and Theresa Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cobbitty costs a cumulative $136,902 and Theresa Park costs $137,280 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $378 in favour of Cobbitty. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cobbitty and Theresa Park suits you better?
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: Wollondilly rates (OLG and Wollondilly rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.