Greenwell Point vs Orient Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Greenwell Point and Orient Point are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 123.8 km and 123.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Greenwell Point runs $300 a year cheaper than Orient Point, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Greenwell Point
Orient Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Greenwell Point | Orient Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,247 | $23,547 | -$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,047 | $8,347 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Greenwell Point | Orient Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Greenwell Point vs Orient Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Greenwell Point costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Greenwell Point.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Orient Point carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,047 from Greenwell Point versus $8,347 from Orient Point.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Greenwell Point cumulative | Orient Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,247 | $23,547 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $71,854 | $72,781 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $123,421 | $125,014 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $266,501 | $269,940 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Greenwell Point or Orient Point cheaper to live in?
Greenwell Point is cheaper to run by car at $23,247 per year versus $23,547 for Orient Point, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Greenwell Point and Orient Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Greenwell Point (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Orient Point (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Greenwell Point and $1,300 in Orient 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 Greenwell Point and Orient Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Greenwell Point and $17,600 from Orient Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Greenwell Point and $2,400 from Orient Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Greenwell Point and Orient Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Greenwell Point costs a cumulative $266,501 and Orient Point costs $269,940 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Greenwell Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Greenwell Point and Orient 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.
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.