Loftus vs Woronora Heights: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Loftus and Woronora Heights are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 24.9 km and 24.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Loftus runs $837 a year cheaper than Woronora Heights, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,595.
Over 10 years, Loftus costs about $9,600 less to run than Woronora Heights — the same as paying $9,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Loftus
Woronora Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Loftus | Woronora Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,795 | $5,782 | +$13 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $3,000 | -$850 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,110 | $11,947 | -$837 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,715 | $8,565 | -$850 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Loftus | Woronora Heights | 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 — Loftus vs Woronora Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Loftus costs $837 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,595 in favour of Loftus.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $850 per year. Woronora Heights carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $850 per year, $7,715 from Loftus versus $8,565 from Woronora Heights.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Loftus cumulative | Woronora Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,110 | $11,947 | $837 |
| Year 3 | $34,340 | $36,927 | $2,587 |
| Year 5 | $58,984 | $63,428 | $4,444 |
| Year 10 | $127,364 | $136,959 | $9,595 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Loftus or Woronora Heights cheaper to live in?
Loftus is cheaper to run by car at $11,110 per year versus $11,947 for Woronora Heights, a difference of $837 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Loftus and Woronora Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Loftus (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Woronora Heights (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Loftus and $1,548 in Woronora Heights. 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 Loftus and Woronora Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,795 from Loftus and $5,782 from Woronora Heights to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Loftus and $2,400 from Woronora Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Loftus and Woronora Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Loftus costs a cumulative $127,364 and Woronora Heights costs $136,959 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,595 in favour of Loftus. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Loftus and Woronora Heights 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: Sutherland rates (OLG and Sutherland 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.