Northwood vs Woolwich: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Northwood (Lane Cove rates (OLG) and Woolwich (Hunters Hill rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (5.1 km and 4.7 km).
Northwood runs $1,771 a year cheaper than Woolwich, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $20,302.
Over 10 years, Northwood costs about $20,300 less to run than Woolwich — the same as paying $20,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Woolwich
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Northwood | Woolwich | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,502 | $2,446 | -$944 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,669 | $1,546 | +$123 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $3,250 | -$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $3,500 | -$900 |
| Total (driving) | $7,019 | $8,790 | -$1,771 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,270 | $9,164 | -$1,894 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Northwood | Woolwich | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Northwood vs Woolwich (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Northwood costs $1,771 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $20,302 in favour of Northwood.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. Woolwich carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,894 per year, $7,270 from Northwood versus $9,164 from Woolwich.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Northwood by $944 a year, $1,502 against $2,446.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Woolwich by $123 a year, $1,546 against $1,669.
- Building insurance favours Northwood by $950 a year, $2,300 against $3,250.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Woolwich against medium in Northwood, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Woolwich against low in Northwood, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Northwood cumulative | Woolwich cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,019 | $8,790 | $1,771 |
| Year 3 | $21,695 | $27,169 | $5,474 |
| Year 5 | $37,265 | $46,667 | $9,402 |
| Year 10 | $80,465 | $100,767 | $20,302 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Northwood or Woolwich cheaper to live in?
Northwood is cheaper to run by car at $7,019 per year versus $8,790 for Woolwich, a difference of $1,771 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Northwood and Woolwich?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,502 in Northwood (Lane Cove rates (OLG) and $2,446 in Woolwich (Hunters Hill rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Northwood and $1,548 in Woolwich. 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 Northwood and Woolwich?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,669 from Northwood and $1,546 from Woolwich to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Northwood and $1,920 from Woolwich.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Northwood and Woolwich?
At 3% annual cost growth, Northwood costs a cumulative $80,465 and Woolwich costs $100,767 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $20,302 in favour of Northwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Northwood and Woolwich 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: Lane Cove rates (OLG and Hunters Hill 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.