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.
The two sit within $235 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,700, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Warwick Farm
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Liverpool | Warwick Farm | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,349 | $6,084 | +$265 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $2,350 | -$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,123 | $11,358 | -$235 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,174 | $7,674 | -$500 |
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 | 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 and Warwick Farm differ by $235 a year by car, but $500 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $265, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $500 per year. Warwick Farm carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $500 per year, $7,174 from Liverpool versus $7,674 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 $500 a year, $1,850 against $2,350.
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 | $11,123 | $11,358 | $235 |
| Year 3 | $34,380 | $35,106 | $726 |
| Year 5 | $59,054 | $60,301 | $1,247 |
| Year 10 | $127,513 | $130,207 | $2,694 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Liverpool or Warwick Farm cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Liverpool runs $11,123 a year by car and Warwick Farm $11,358, but most of the $235 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $265. 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 $127,513 and Warwick Farm costs $130,207 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,694 in favour of Liverpool. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Liverpool and Warwick Farm suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.