Cordeaux Heights vs Unanderra: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cordeaux Heights and Unanderra are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 73.2 km and 73.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $176 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 →Cordeaux Heights
Unanderra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cordeaux Heights | Unanderra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,197 | $3,223 | -$26 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,150 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,564 | $8,740 | -$176 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,767 | $7,917 | -$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cordeaux Heights | Unanderra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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 — Cordeaux Heights vs Unanderra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cordeaux Heights and Unanderra cost within $176 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,017, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. Unanderra carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,767 and $7,917 a year, so the $176 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,819 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cordeaux Heights by $26 a year, $3,197 against $3,223.
- Building insurance favours Cordeaux Heights by $150 a year, $2,000 against $2,150.
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 Unanderra against low in Cordeaux Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Cordeaux Heights against low in Unanderra, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cordeaux Heights cumulative | Unanderra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,564 | $8,740 | $176 |
| Year 3 | $26,470 | $27,014 | $544 |
| Year 5 | $45,467 | $46,402 | $935 |
| Year 10 | $98,177 | $100,194 | $2,017 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cordeaux Heights or Unanderra cheaper to live in?
Cordeaux Heights is cheaper to run by car at $8,564 per year versus $8,740 for Unanderra, a difference of $176 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cordeaux Heights and Unanderra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Cordeaux Heights (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Unanderra (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cordeaux Heights and $1,548 in Unanderra. 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 Cordeaux Heights and Unanderra?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,197 from Cordeaux Heights and $3,223 from Unanderra to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cordeaux Heights and $2,400 from Unanderra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cordeaux Heights and Unanderra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cordeaux Heights costs a cumulative $98,177 and Unanderra costs $100,194 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,017 in favour of Cordeaux Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cordeaux Heights and Unanderra 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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.