Corrimal vs Tarrawanna, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Corrimal and Tarrawanna are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 63 km and 64.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $24 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.
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Tarrawanna
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Corrimal | Tarrawanna | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,678 | $4,452 | +$226 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,850 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,645 | $9,669 | -$24 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,367 | $7,617 | -$250 |
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 | Corrimal | Tarrawanna | 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, Corrimal vs Tarrawanna (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Corrimal and Tarrawanna cost within $24 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $275, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Tarrawanna carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,367 from Corrimal versus $7,617 from Tarrawanna.
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 Tarrawanna by $226 a year, $4,452 against $4,678.
- Building insurance favours Corrimal by $250 a year, $1,600 against $1,850.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Tarrawanna against medium in Corrimal, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Corrimal cumulative | Tarrawanna cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,645 | $9,669 | $24 |
| Year 3 | $29,812 | $29,886 | $74 |
| Year 5 | $51,207 | $51,334 | $127 |
| Year 10 | $110,569 | $110,844 | $275 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Corrimal or Tarrawanna cheaper to live in?
Corrimal is cheaper to run by car at $9,645 per year versus $9,669 for Tarrawanna, a difference of $24 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Corrimal and Tarrawanna?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Corrimal (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Tarrawanna (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Corrimal and $1,548 in Tarrawanna. 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 Corrimal and Tarrawanna?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,678 from Corrimal and $4,452 from Tarrawanna to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Corrimal and $2,400 from Tarrawanna.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Corrimal and Tarrawanna?
At 3% annual cost growth, Corrimal costs a cumulative $110,569 and Tarrawanna costs $110,844 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $275 in favour of Corrimal. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Corrimal and Tarrawanna 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.
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.