Marlow vs Wendoree Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Marlow (Hornsby rates (OLG) and Wendoree Park (Central Coast rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (44.9 km and 46.2 km).
Wendoree Park runs $398 a year cheaper than Marlow, driven mostly by water. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,562.
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 →Marlow
Wendoree Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Marlow | Wendoree Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $1,454 | +$87 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,300 | +$248 |
| Commute (driving) | $6,884 | $6,821 | +$63 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,650 | $3,650 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,623 | $13,225 | +$398 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,139 | $8,804 | +$335 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Marlow | Wendoree Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,615 | $2,342 | +$273 |
| Unit | $2,113 | $1,909 | +$204 |
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 — Marlow vs Wendoree Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wendoree Park costs $398 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,562 in favour of Wendoree Park.
The biggest single gap is water and sewerage at $248 per year.
On public transport the gap is $335 per year, $9,139 from Marlow versus $8,804 from Wendoree Park.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Wendoree Park by $87 a year, $1,454 against $1,541.
- Water and sewerage favours Wendoree Park by $248 a year, $1,300 against $1,548.
- Driving commute favours Wendoree Park by $63 a year, $6,821 against $6,884.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,650 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Marlow cumulative | Wendoree Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,623 | $13,225 | $398 |
| Year 3 | $42,107 | $40,877 | $1,230 |
| Year 5 | $72,326 | $70,213 | $2,113 |
| Year 10 | $156,172 | $151,610 | $4,562 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marlow or Wendoree Park cheaper to live in?
Wendoree Park is cheaper to run by car at $13,225 per year versus $13,623 for Marlow, a difference of $398 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Marlow and Wendoree Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Marlow (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Wendoree Park (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Marlow and $1,300 in Wendoree Park. 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 Marlow and Wendoree Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,884 from Marlow and $6,821 from Wendoree Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Marlow and $2,400 from Wendoree Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Marlow and Wendoree Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Marlow costs a cumulative $156,172 and Wendoree Park costs $151,610 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,562 in favour of Wendoree Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Marlow and Wendoree Park 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: Hornsby rates (OLG and Central Coast 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.