Crows Nest vs Wollstonecraft, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Crows Nest and Wollstonecraft are both North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in suburbs, sitting 4.7 km and 4.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $124 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, Wollstonecraft costs about $1,400 less to run than Crows Nest. That's about $3 a week.
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Wollstonecraft
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Crows Nest | Wollstonecraft | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,327 | $1,327 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,546 | $1,422 | +$124 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,921 | $5,797 | +$124 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,295 | $6,295 | - |
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 | Crows Nest | Wollstonecraft | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Crows Nest vs Wollstonecraft (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Crows Nest and Wollstonecraft cost within $124 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,422, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $124 per year. Crows Nest is 4.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,295 and $6,295 a year, so the $124 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,327 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Wollstonecraft by $124 a year, $1,422 against $1,546.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,500 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Crows Nest cumulative | Wollstonecraft cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,921 | $5,797 | $124 |
| Year 3 | $18,301 | $17,918 | $383 |
| Year 5 | $31,435 | $30,777 | $658 |
| Year 10 | $67,878 | $66,456 | $1,422 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crows Nest or Wollstonecraft cheaper to live in?
Wollstonecraft is cheaper to run by car at $5,797 per year versus $5,921 for Crows Nest, a difference of $124 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Crows Nest and Wollstonecraft?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,327 in Crows Nest (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in) and $1,327 in Wollstonecraft (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Crows Nest and $1,548 in Wollstonecraft. 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 Crows Nest and Wollstonecraft?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,546 from Crows Nest and $1,422 from Wollstonecraft to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Crows Nest and $1,920 from Wollstonecraft.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Crows Nest and Wollstonecraft?
At 3% annual cost growth, Crows Nest costs a cumulative $67,878 and Wollstonecraft costs $66,456 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,422 in favour of Wollstonecraft. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Crows Nest and Wollstonecraft suits you better?
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Sources: North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in and North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in 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.