Fernhill 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
Fernhill and Tarrawanna are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 64.4 km and 64.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Fernhill runs $761 a year cheaper than Tarrawanna, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,724.
Over 10 years, Fernhill costs about $8,700 less to run than Tarrawanna — the same as paying $8,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Fernhill
Tarrawanna
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fernhill | Tarrawanna | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,244 | $4,305 | -$61 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,850 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,761 | $10,522 | -$761 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,917 | $8,617 | -$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Fernhill | 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 — Fernhill vs Tarrawanna (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fernhill costs $761 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,724 in favour of Fernhill.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Tarrawanna carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $7,917 from Fernhill versus $8,617 from Tarrawanna.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fernhill cumulative | Tarrawanna cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,761 | $10,522 | $761 |
| Year 3 | $30,170 | $32,522 | $2,352 |
| Year 5 | $51,822 | $55,863 | $4,041 |
| Year 10 | $111,899 | $120,623 | $8,724 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fernhill or Tarrawanna cheaper to live in?
Fernhill is cheaper to run by car at $9,761 per year versus $10,522 for Tarrawanna, a difference of $761 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fernhill and Tarrawanna?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Fernhill (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Tarrawanna (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Fernhill 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 Fernhill and Tarrawanna?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,244 from Fernhill and $4,305 from Tarrawanna to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fernhill and $2,400 from Tarrawanna.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fernhill and Tarrawanna?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fernhill costs a cumulative $111,899 and Tarrawanna costs $120,623 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,724 in favour of Fernhill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fernhill 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.