Mount Warrigal vs Warilla: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Warrigal and Warilla are both Shellharbour rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 82.7 km and 82.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Warrigal runs $642 a year cheaper than Warilla, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,360.
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 →Mount Warrigal
Warilla
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Warrigal | Warilla | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,865 | $1,865 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,493 | $3,485 | +$8 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,800 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,056 | $9,698 | -$642 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,963 | $8,613 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mount Warrigal | Warilla | 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 — Mount Warrigal vs Warilla (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Warrigal costs $642 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,360 in favour of Mount Warrigal.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Warilla carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,963 from Mount Warrigal versus $8,613 from Warilla.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Warrigal cumulative | Warilla cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,056 | $9,698 | $642 |
| Year 3 | $27,991 | $29,976 | $1,985 |
| Year 5 | $48,080 | $51,488 | $3,408 |
| Year 10 | $103,817 | $111,177 | $7,360 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Warrigal or Warilla cheaper to live in?
Mount Warrigal is cheaper to run by car at $9,056 per year versus $9,698 for Warilla, a difference of $642 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Warrigal and Warilla?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,865 in Mount Warrigal (Shellharbour rates (OLG) and $1,865 in Warilla (Shellharbour rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Mount Warrigal and $1,548 in Warilla. 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 Mount Warrigal and Warilla?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,493 from Mount Warrigal and $3,485 from Warilla to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mount Warrigal and $2,400 from Warilla.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Warrigal and Warilla?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Warrigal costs a cumulative $103,817 and Warilla costs $111,177 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,360 in favour of Mount Warrigal. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Warrigal and Warilla 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: Shellharbour rates (OLG and Shellharbour 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.