Old Erowal Bay vs Sanctuary Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Old Erowal Bay and Sanctuary Point are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 145 km and 148.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Sanctuary Point runs $300 a year cheaper than Old Erowal Bay, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Old Erowal Bay
Sanctuary Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Old Erowal Bay | Sanctuary Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,547 | $23,247 | +$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,347 | $8,047 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Old Erowal Bay | Sanctuary Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Old Erowal Bay vs Sanctuary Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Sanctuary Point costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Sanctuary Point.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Old Erowal Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,347 from Old Erowal Bay versus $8,047 from Sanctuary Point.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Old Erowal Bay cumulative | Sanctuary Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,547 | $23,247 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $72,781 | $71,854 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $125,014 | $123,421 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $269,940 | $266,501 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Old Erowal Bay or Sanctuary Point cheaper to live in?
Sanctuary Point is cheaper to run by car at $23,247 per year versus $23,547 for Old Erowal Bay, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Old Erowal Bay and Sanctuary Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Old Erowal Bay (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Sanctuary Point (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Old Erowal Bay and $1,300 in Sanctuary Point. 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 Old Erowal Bay and Sanctuary Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Old Erowal Bay and $17,600 from Sanctuary Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Old Erowal Bay and $2,400 from Sanctuary Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Old Erowal Bay and Sanctuary Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Old Erowal Bay costs a cumulative $269,940 and Sanctuary Point costs $266,501 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Sanctuary Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Old Erowal Bay and Sanctuary Point 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: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Shoalhaven 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.