Otford vs Stanwell Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Otford and Stanwell Park are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 42.3 km and 45.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Otford runs $1,005 a year cheaper than Stanwell Park, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,521.
Over 10 years, Otford costs about $11,500 less to run than Stanwell Park — the same as paying $11,500 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Stanwell Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Otford | Stanwell Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,966 | $6,871 | +$95 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $3,650 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,883 | $13,888 | -$1,005 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,317 | $9,417 | -$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Otford | Stanwell Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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 — Otford vs Stanwell Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Otford costs $1,005 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,521 in favour of Otford.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Stanwell Park carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $8,317 from Otford versus $9,417 from Stanwell Park.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,819 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Stanwell Park by $95 a year, $6,871 against $6,966.
- Building insurance favours Otford by $1,100 a year, $2,550 against $3,650.
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 commute distance and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Stanwell Park against low in Otford, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Otford cumulative | Stanwell Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,883 | $13,888 | $1,005 |
| Year 3 | $39,820 | $42,926 | $3,106 |
| Year 5 | $68,398 | $73,733 | $5,335 |
| Year 10 | $147,689 | $159,210 | $11,521 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Otford or Stanwell Park cheaper to live in?
Otford is cheaper to run by car at $12,883 per year versus $13,888 for Stanwell Park, a difference of $1,005 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Otford and Stanwell Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Otford (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Stanwell Park (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Otford and $1,548 in Stanwell Park. 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 Otford and Stanwell Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,966 from Otford and $6,871 from Stanwell Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Otford and $2,400 from Stanwell Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Otford and Stanwell Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Otford costs a cumulative $147,689 and Stanwell Park costs $159,210 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,521 in favour of Otford. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Otford and Stanwell Park 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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.