Greenwich vs Wollstonecraft: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Greenwich (Lane Cove rates (OLG) and Wollstonecraft (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (4.5 km and 4.3 km).
Wollstonecraft runs $685 a year cheaper than Greenwich, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,852.
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 →Greenwich
Wollstonecraft
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Greenwich | Wollstonecraft | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,502 | $1,327 | +$175 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,435 | $1,375 | +$60 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,785 | $6,100 | +$685 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,270 | $6,645 | +$625 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Greenwich | Wollstonecraft | 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 — Greenwich vs Wollstonecraft (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wollstonecraft costs $685 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,852 in favour of Wollstonecraft.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Greenwich carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $625 per year, $7,270 from Greenwich versus $6,645 from Wollstonecraft.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Greenwich cumulative | Wollstonecraft cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,785 | $6,100 | $685 |
| Year 3 | $20,972 | $18,854 | $2,118 |
| Year 5 | $36,022 | $32,386 | $3,636 |
| Year 10 | $77,782 | $69,930 | $7,852 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Greenwich or Wollstonecraft cheaper to live in?
Wollstonecraft is cheaper to run by car at $6,100 per year versus $6,785 for Greenwich, a difference of $685 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Greenwich and Wollstonecraft?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,502 in Greenwich (Lane Cove rates (OLG) and $1,327 in Wollstonecraft (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Greenwich and $1,548 in Wollstonecraft. 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 Greenwich and Wollstonecraft?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,435 from Greenwich and $1,375 from Wollstonecraft to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Greenwich and $1,920 from Wollstonecraft.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Greenwich and Wollstonecraft?
At 3% annual cost growth, Greenwich costs a cumulative $77,782 and Wollstonecraft costs $69,930 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,852 in favour of Wollstonecraft. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Greenwich and Wollstonecraft 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: Lane Cove rates (OLG and North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in 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.