Ermington vs Wentworth Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ermington and Wentworth Point are both Parramatta rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 14.9 km and 12.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wentworth Point runs $456 a year cheaper than Ermington, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,227.
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 →Ermington
Wentworth Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ermington | Wentworth Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,156 | $1,156 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,237 | $3,781 | +$456 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,891 | $9,435 | +$456 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,040 | $8,040 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Ermington | Wentworth Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Ermington vs Wentworth Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wentworth Point costs $456 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,227 in favour of Wentworth Point.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $456 per year. Ermington is 14.9 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, $8,040 and $8,040 a year, so the $456 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,156 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Wentworth Point by $456 a year, $3,781 against $4,237.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,950 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 | Ermington cumulative | Wentworth Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,891 | $9,435 | $456 |
| Year 3 | $30,572 | $29,163 | $1,409 |
| Year 5 | $52,513 | $50,092 | $2,421 |
| Year 10 | $113,389 | $108,162 | $5,227 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ermington or Wentworth Point cheaper to live in?
Wentworth Point is cheaper to run by car at $9,435 per year versus $9,891 for Ermington, a difference of $456 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ermington and Wentworth Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,156 in Ermington (Parramatta rates (OLG) and $1,156 in Wentworth Point (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Ermington and $1,548 in Wentworth Point. 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 Ermington and Wentworth Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,237 from Ermington and $3,781 from Wentworth Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Ermington and $2,386 from Wentworth Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ermington and Wentworth Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ermington costs a cumulative $113,389 and Wentworth Point costs $108,162 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,227 in favour of Wentworth Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ermington and Wentworth Point 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: Parramatta rates (OLG and Parramatta 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.