Greenwich vs Woolwich, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Greenwich (Lane Cove rates (OLG) and Woolwich (Hunters Hill rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (4.5 km and 4.7 km).
Greenwich runs $1,306 a year cheaper than Woolwich, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,972.
Over 10 years, Greenwich costs about $15,000 less to run than Woolwich. That's about $29 a week.
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Woolwich
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Greenwich | Woolwich | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,502 | $2,446 | -$944 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,484 | $1,546 | -$62 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $2,600 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,834 | $8,140 | -$1,306 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,270 | $8,514 | -$1,244 |
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 | Greenwich | Woolwich | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Greenwich vs Woolwich (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Greenwich costs $1,306 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,972 in favour of Greenwich.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $944 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,244 per year, $7,270 from Greenwich versus $8,514 from Woolwich.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Greenwich by $944 a year, $1,502 against $2,446.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Greenwich by $62 a year, $1,484 against $1,546.
- Building insurance favours Greenwich by $300 a year, $2,300 against $2,600.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Flood risk is rated high in Woolwich against medium in Greenwich, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Woolwich against low in Greenwich, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Greenwich cumulative | Woolwich cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,834 | $8,140 | $1,306 |
| Year 3 | $21,123 | $25,160 | $4,037 |
| Year 5 | $36,283 | $43,216 | $6,933 |
| Year 10 | $78,344 | $93,316 | $14,972 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Greenwich or Woolwich cheaper to live in?
Greenwich is cheaper to run by car at $6,834 per year versus $8,140 for Woolwich, a difference of $1,306 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Greenwich and Woolwich?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,502 in Greenwich (Lane Cove rates (OLG) and $2,446 in Woolwich (Hunters Hill rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Greenwich and $1,548 in Woolwich. 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 Woolwich?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,484 from Greenwich and $1,546 from Woolwich to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Greenwich and $1,920 from Woolwich.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Greenwich and Woolwich?
At 3% annual cost growth, Greenwich costs a cumulative $78,344 and Woolwich costs $93,316 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,972 in favour of Greenwich. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Greenwich and Woolwich suits you better?
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Sources: Lane Cove rates (OLG and Hunters Hill 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.