Liverpool vs Warwick Farm: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Liverpool and Warwick Farm are both Liverpool rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 27.9 km and 25.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Liverpool runs $385 a year cheaper than Warwick Farm, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,414.
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 →Liverpool
Warwick Farm
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Liverpool | Warwick Farm | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,349 | $6,084 | +$265 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,573 | $11,958 | -$385 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,624 | $8,274 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Liverpool | Warwick Farm | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Liverpool vs Warwick Farm (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Liverpool costs $385 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,414 in favour of Liverpool.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Warwick Farm carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,624 from Liverpool versus $8,274 from Warwick Farm.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Warwick Farm by $265 a year, $6,084 against $6,349.
- Building insurance favours Liverpool by $650 a year, $2,300 against $2,950.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Warwick Farm against medium in Liverpool, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Liverpool cumulative | Warwick Farm cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,573 | $11,958 | $385 |
| Year 3 | $35,771 | $36,961 | $1,190 |
| Year 5 | $61,443 | $63,487 | $2,044 |
| Year 10 | $132,671 | $137,085 | $4,414 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Liverpool or Warwick Farm cheaper to live in?
Liverpool is cheaper to run by car at $11,573 per year versus $11,958 for Warwick Farm, a difference of $385 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Liverpool and Warwick Farm?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Liverpool (Liverpool rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Warwick Farm (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Liverpool and $1,548 in Warwick Farm. 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 Liverpool and Warwick Farm?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,349 from Liverpool and $6,084 from Warwick Farm to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Liverpool and $2,400 from Warwick Farm.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Liverpool and Warwick Farm?
At 3% annual cost growth, Liverpool costs a cumulative $132,671 and Warwick Farm costs $137,085 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,414 in favour of Liverpool. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Liverpool and Warwick Farm 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: Liverpool rates (OLG and Liverpool rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.