Pomona vs Wentworth: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Pomona and Wentworth are both Wentworth rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Pomona runs $300 a year cheaper than Wentworth, 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 →Pomona
Wentworth
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Pomona | Wentworth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $920 | $920 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,220 | $23,520 | -$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,420 | $7,720 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Pomona | Wentworth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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 — Pomona vs Wentworth (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Pomona 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 Pomona.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Wentworth carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,420 from Pomona versus $7,720 from Wentworth.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $920 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Pomona by $300 a year, $2,800 against $3,100.
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 Wentworth against low in Pomona, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Pomona cumulative | Wentworth cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,220 | $23,520 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $71,771 | $72,698 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $123,278 | $124,871 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $266,191 | $269,630 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pomona or Wentworth cheaper to live in?
Pomona is cheaper to run by car at $23,220 per year versus $23,520 for Wentworth, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Pomona and Wentworth?
Annual council rates for a house are $920 in Pomona (Wentworth rates (OLG) and $920 in Wentworth (Wentworth rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Pomona and $1,300 in Wentworth. 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 Pomona and Wentworth?
Pomona 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. Wentworth 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 Pomona and $2,400 from Wentworth.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Pomona and Wentworth?
At 3% annual cost growth, Pomona costs a cumulative $266,191 and Wentworth costs $269,630 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Pomona. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Pomona and Wentworth 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: Wentworth rates (OLG and Wentworth 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.