Gwynneville vs North Wollongong: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gwynneville and North Wollongong are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 67.7 km and 66.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Gwynneville runs $575 a year cheaper than North Wollongong, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,592.
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 →Gwynneville
North Wollongong
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gwynneville | North Wollongong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,517 | $3,792 | -$275 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,684 | $10,259 | -$575 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,567 | $8,867 | -$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 | Gwynneville | North Wollongong | 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 — Gwynneville vs North Wollongong (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gwynneville costs $575 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,592 in favour of Gwynneville.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. North Wollongong carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,567 from Gwynneville versus $8,867 from North Wollongong.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gwynneville cumulative | North Wollongong cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,684 | $10,259 | $575 |
| Year 3 | $29,932 | $31,710 | $1,778 |
| Year 5 | $51,414 | $54,466 | $3,052 |
| Year 10 | $111,016 | $117,608 | $6,592 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gwynneville or North Wollongong cheaper to live in?
Gwynneville is cheaper to run by car at $9,684 per year versus $10,259 for North Wollongong, a difference of $575 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gwynneville and North Wollongong?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Gwynneville (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in North Wollongong (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Gwynneville and $1,548 in North Wollongong. 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 Gwynneville and North Wollongong?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,517 from Gwynneville and $3,792 from North Wollongong to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Gwynneville and $2,400 from North Wollongong.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gwynneville and North Wollongong?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gwynneville costs a cumulative $111,016 and North Wollongong costs $117,608 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,592 in favour of Gwynneville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gwynneville and North Wollongong 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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.