Corrimal vs Tarrawanna: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $181 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 →Corrimal
Tarrawanna
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Corrimal | Tarrawanna | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,524 | $4,305 | +$219 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,850 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,341 | $10,522 | -$181 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,217 | $8,617 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Corrimal | Tarrawanna | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Corrimal vs Tarrawanna (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Corrimal and Tarrawanna cost within $181 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,075, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Tarrawanna carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,217 from Corrimal versus $8,617 from Tarrawanna.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Corrimal cumulative | Tarrawanna cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,341 | $10,522 | $181 |
| Year 3 | $31,963 | $32,522 | $559 |
| Year 5 | $54,902 | $55,863 | $961 |
| Year 10 | $118,548 | $120,623 | $2,075 |
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 $10,341 per year versus $10,522 for Tarrawanna, a difference of $181 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $4,524 from Corrimal and $4,305 from Tarrawanna to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $118,548 and Tarrawanna costs $120,623 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,075 in favour of Corrimal. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Corrimal and Tarrawanna 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.