Comberton vs Woollamia: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Comberton and Woollamia are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 135.1 km and 136.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Comberton runs $650 a year cheaper than Woollamia, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,452.
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 →Comberton
Woollamia
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Comberton | Woollamia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,500 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,297 | $23,947 | -$650 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,097 | $8,747 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Comberton | Woollamia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Comberton vs Woollamia (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Comberton costs $650 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,452 in favour of Comberton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Woollamia carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $8,097 from Comberton versus $8,747 from Woollamia.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Comberton cumulative | Woollamia cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,297 | $23,947 | $650 |
| Year 3 | $72,009 | $74,018 | $2,009 |
| Year 5 | $123,687 | $127,138 | $3,451 |
| Year 10 | $267,074 | $274,526 | $7,452 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Comberton or Woollamia cheaper to live in?
Comberton is cheaper to run by car at $23,297 per year versus $23,947 for Woollamia, a difference of $650 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Comberton and Woollamia?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Comberton (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Woollamia (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Comberton and $1,300 in Woollamia. 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 Comberton and Woollamia?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Comberton and $17,600 from Woollamia to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Comberton and $2,400 from Woollamia.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Comberton and Woollamia?
At 3% annual cost growth, Comberton costs a cumulative $267,074 and Woollamia costs $274,526 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,452 in favour of Comberton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Comberton and Woollamia 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: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Shoalhaven 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.