Goarra vs Yarrawarrah: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Goarra and Yarrawarrah are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 29 km and 26.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Yarrawarrah runs $647 a year cheaper than Goarra, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,417.
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 →Goarra
Yarrawarrah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Goarra | Yarrawarrah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,247 | $6,000 | +$247 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,150 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,962 | $11,315 | +$647 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,115 | $7,715 | +$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 | Goarra | Yarrawarrah | 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 — Goarra vs Yarrawarrah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Yarrawarrah costs $647 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,417 in favour of Yarrawarrah.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,115 from Goarra versus $7,715 from Yarrawarrah.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Goarra cumulative | Yarrawarrah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,962 | $11,315 | $647 |
| Year 3 | $36,973 | $34,974 | $1,999 |
| Year 5 | $63,508 | $60,073 | $3,435 |
| Year 10 | $137,131 | $129,714 | $7,417 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Goarra or Yarrawarrah cheaper to live in?
Yarrawarrah is cheaper to run by car at $11,315 per year versus $11,962 for Goarra, a difference of $647 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Goarra and Yarrawarrah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Goarra (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Yarrawarrah (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Goarra and $1,548 in Yarrawarrah. 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 Goarra and Yarrawarrah?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,247 from Goarra and $6,000 from Yarrawarrah to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Goarra and $2,400 from Yarrawarrah.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Goarra and Yarrawarrah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Goarra costs a cumulative $137,131 and Yarrawarrah costs $129,714 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,417 in favour of Yarrawarrah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Goarra and Yarrawarrah 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.
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Sources: Sutherland rates (OLG and Sutherland 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.