Old Erowal Bay vs Worrowing Heights: 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 Worrowing Heights are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 145 km and 145.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Old Erowal Bay runs $400 a year cheaper than Worrowing Heights, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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
Worrowing Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Old Erowal Bay | Worrowing Heights | 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 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,547 | $23,947 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,347 | $8,747 | -$400 |
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 | Worrowing Heights | 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 Worrowing Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Old Erowal Bay costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Old Erowal Bay.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Worrowing Heights carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,347 from Old Erowal Bay versus $8,747 from Worrowing Heights.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Old Erowal Bay cumulative | Worrowing Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,547 | $23,947 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $72,781 | $74,018 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $125,014 | $127,138 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $269,940 | $274,526 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Old Erowal Bay or Worrowing Heights cheaper to live in?
Old Erowal Bay is cheaper to run by car at $23,547 per year versus $23,947 for Worrowing Heights, a difference of $400 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 Worrowing Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Old Erowal Bay (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Worrowing Heights (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Old Erowal Bay and $1,300 in Worrowing Heights. 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 Worrowing Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Old Erowal Bay and $17,600 from Worrowing Heights to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Old Erowal Bay and $2,400 from Worrowing Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Old Erowal Bay and Worrowing Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Old Erowal Bay costs a cumulative $269,940 and Worrowing Heights costs $274,526 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Old Erowal Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Old Erowal Bay and Worrowing Heights 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.