Old Erowal Bay vs Sanctuary Point, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Old Erowal Bay and Sanctuary Point are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $200 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,300, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Sanctuary Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Old Erowal Bay | Sanctuary Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $1,800 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,047 | $22,847 | +$200 |
| Total (public transport) | $23,047 | $22,847 | +$200 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Old Erowal Bay | Sanctuary Point | 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, Old Erowal Bay vs Sanctuary Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Old Erowal Bay and Sanctuary Point differ by $200 a year by car, but $200 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $0, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year. Old Erowal Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $23,047 from Old Erowal Bay versus $22,847 from Sanctuary Point.
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 Sanctuary Point by $200 a year, $1,800 against $2,000.
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 medium in Old Erowal Bay against low in Sanctuary Point, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 6.3 in Old Erowal Bay against 3.7 in Sanctuary Point, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Old Erowal Bay cumulative | Sanctuary Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,047 | $22,847 | $200 |
| Year 3 | $71,236 | $70,618 | $618 |
| Year 5 | $122,360 | $121,298 | $1,062 |
| Year 10 | $264,208 | $261,915 | $2,293 |
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?
Neither is named cheaper. Old Erowal Bay runs $23,047 a year by car and Sanctuary Point $22,847, but most of the $200 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $0. 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?
Old Erowal Bay 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. Sanctuary Point 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. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
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 $264,208 and Sanctuary Point costs $261,915 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,293 in favour of Sanctuary Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Old Erowal Bay and Sanctuary Point suits you better?
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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.