Narwee vs Riverwood: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Narwee (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and Riverwood (Georges River rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (15.6 km and 17 km).
Narwee runs $1,450 a year cheaper than Riverwood, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $16,622.
Over 10 years, Narwee costs about $16,600 less to run than Riverwood — the same as paying $16,600 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 →Narwee
Riverwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Narwee | Riverwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,447 | -$70 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,244 | $4,524 | -$280 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,950 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,019 | $10,469 | -$1,450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,161 | $8,331 | -$1,170 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Narwee | Riverwood | 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 — Narwee vs Riverwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Narwee costs $1,450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $16,622 in favour of Narwee.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Riverwood carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,170 per year, $7,161 from Narwee versus $8,331 from Riverwood.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Narwee cumulative | Riverwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,019 | $10,469 | $1,450 |
| Year 3 | $27,877 | $32,359 | $4,482 |
| Year 5 | $47,883 | $55,581 | $7,698 |
| Year 10 | $103,393 | $120,015 | $16,622 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Narwee or Riverwood cheaper to live in?
Narwee is cheaper to run by car at $9,019 per year versus $10,469 for Riverwood, a difference of $1,450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Narwee and Riverwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Narwee (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,447 in Riverwood (Georges River rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Narwee and $1,548 in Riverwood. 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 Narwee and Riverwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,244 from Narwee and $4,524 from Riverwood to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Narwee and $2,386 from Riverwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Narwee and Riverwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Narwee costs a cumulative $103,393 and Riverwood costs $120,015 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $16,622 in favour of Narwee. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Narwee and Riverwood 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: Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG and Georges River 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.