Gerringong vs Werri Beach, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gerringong and Werri Beach are both Kiama rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 35.5 km and 34.1 km from Wollongong CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $263 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 $3,000, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Werri Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gerringong | Werri Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,959 | $1,959 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,900 | $6,837 | +$63 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $2,100 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,707 | $12,444 | +$263 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,207 | $8,007 | +$200 |
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 | Gerringong | Werri Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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, Gerringong vs Werri Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gerringong and Werri Beach differ by $263 a year by car, but $200 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 $63, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year. Gerringong carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $8,207 from Gerringong versus $8,007 from Werri Beach.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,959 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Werri Beach by $63 a year, $6,837 against $6,900.
- Building insurance favours Werri Beach by $200 a year, $2,100 against $2,300.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Gerringong against low in Werri Beach, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gerringong cumulative | Werri Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,707 | $12,444 | $263 |
| Year 3 | $39,276 | $38,463 | $813 |
| Year 5 | $67,463 | $66,067 | $1,396 |
| Year 10 | $145,672 | $142,657 | $3,015 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gerringong or Werri Beach cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Gerringong runs $12,707 a year by car and Werri Beach $12,444, but most of the $263 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $63. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gerringong and Werri Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,959 in Gerringong (Kiama rates (OLG) and $1,959 in Werri Beach (Kiama rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Gerringong and $1,548 in Werri Beach. 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 Gerringong and Werri Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,900 from Gerringong and $6,837 from Werri Beach to Wollongong CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Gerringong and $2,400 from Werri Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gerringong and Werri Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gerringong costs a cumulative $145,672 and Werri Beach costs $142,657 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,015 in favour of Werri Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gerringong and Werri Beach suits you better?
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Sources: Kiama rates (OLG and Kiama 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.