Cudmirrah vs Swanhaven: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cudmirrah and Swanhaven are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 159.5 km and 158.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cudmirrah runs $400 a year cheaper than Swanhaven, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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 →Cudmirrah
Swanhaven
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cudmirrah | Swanhaven | 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 | $3,100 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,547 | $23,947 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,347 | $8,747 | -$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 | Cudmirrah | Swanhaven | 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 — Cudmirrah vs Swanhaven (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cudmirrah costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Cudmirrah.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Swanhaven carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,347 from Cudmirrah versus $8,747 from Swanhaven.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cudmirrah cumulative | Swanhaven cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,547 | $23,947 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $72,781 | $74,018 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $125,014 | $127,138 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $269,940 | $274,526 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cudmirrah or Swanhaven cheaper to live in?
Cudmirrah is cheaper to run by car at $23,547 per year versus $23,947 for Swanhaven, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cudmirrah and Swanhaven?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Cudmirrah (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Swanhaven (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Cudmirrah and $1,300 in Swanhaven. 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 Cudmirrah and Swanhaven?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Cudmirrah and $17,600 from Swanhaven to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cudmirrah and $2,400 from Swanhaven.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cudmirrah and Swanhaven?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cudmirrah costs a cumulative $269,940 and Swanhaven costs $274,526 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Cudmirrah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cudmirrah and Swanhaven 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.