Erowal Bay vs Old Erowal Bay, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Erowal Bay and Old Erowal Bay are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $150 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 the gap between these two is about $1,700, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Old Erowal Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Erowal Bay | Old Erowal Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $2,000 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,897 | $23,047 | -$150 |
| Total (public transport) | $22,897 | $23,047 | -$150 |
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 | Erowal Bay | Old Erowal Bay | 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, Erowal Bay vs Old Erowal Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Erowal Bay and Old Erowal Bay differ by $150 a year by car, but $150 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $0, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. Old Erowal Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $22,897 and $23,047 a year, so the $150 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,547 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Erowal Bay by $150 a year, $1,850 against $2,000.
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 the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Old Erowal Bay against medium in Erowal Bay, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Erowal Bay against medium in Old Erowal Bay, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Erowal Bay cumulative | Old Erowal Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,897 | $23,047 | $150 |
| Year 3 | $70,772 | $71,236 | $464 |
| Year 5 | $121,563 | $122,360 | $797 |
| Year 10 | $262,488 | $264,208 | $1,720 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Erowal Bay or Old Erowal Bay cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Erowal Bay runs $22,897 a year by car and Old Erowal Bay $23,047, but most of the $150 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $0. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Erowal Bay and Old Erowal Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Erowal Bay (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Old Erowal Bay (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Erowal Bay and $1,300 in Old Erowal Bay. 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 Erowal Bay and Old Erowal Bay?
Erowal Bay carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Old Erowal Bay carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Erowal Bay and Old Erowal Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Erowal Bay costs a cumulative $262,488 and Old Erowal Bay costs $264,208 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,720 in favour of Erowal Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Erowal Bay and Old Erowal Bay 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: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Shoalhaven 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.