Nowra vs Worrigee: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Nowra and Worrigee are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Nowra runs $700 a year cheaper than Worrigee, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,025.
Over 10 years, Nowra costs about $8,000 less to run than Worrigee — the same as paying $8,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Worrigee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Nowra | Worrigee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,500 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,847 | $24,547 | -$700 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,047 | $8,747 | -$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Nowra | Worrigee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Nowra vs Worrigee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Nowra costs $700 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,025 in favour of Nowra.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Worrigee carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $8,047 from Nowra versus $8,747 from Worrigee.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,547 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Nowra by $700 a year, $2,800 against $3,500.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Worrigee against low in Nowra, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Nowra cumulative | Worrigee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,847 | $24,547 | $700 |
| Year 3 | $73,709 | $75,872 | $2,163 |
| Year 5 | $126,607 | $130,323 | $3,716 |
| Year 10 | $273,379 | $281,404 | $8,025 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nowra or Worrigee cheaper to live in?
Nowra is cheaper to run by car at $23,847 per year versus $24,547 for Worrigee, a difference of $700 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Nowra and Worrigee?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Nowra (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Worrigee (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Nowra and $1,300 in Worrigee. 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 Nowra and Worrigee?
Nowra carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Worrigee carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Public transport costs $2,400 from Nowra and $2,400 from Worrigee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Nowra and Worrigee?
At 3% annual cost growth, Nowra costs a cumulative $273,379 and Worrigee costs $281,404 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,025 in favour of Nowra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Nowra and Worrigee 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.
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Sources: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Shoalhaven 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.