Pymble vs Warrawee: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Pymble and Warrawee are both Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in suburbs, sitting 15.2 km and 17.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Pymble runs $495 a year cheaper than Warrawee, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,675.
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 →Pymble
Warrawee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Pymble | Warrawee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,189 | $2,189 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,302 | $4,797 | -$495 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,889 | $10,384 | -$495 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,973 | $7,973 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Pymble | Warrawee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Pymble vs Warrawee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Pymble costs $495 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,675 in favour of Pymble.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $495 per year. Warrawee is 17.6 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,973 and $7,973 a year, so the $495 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,189 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Pymble by $495 a year, $4,302 against $4,797.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Pymble cumulative | Warrawee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,889 | $10,384 | $495 |
| Year 3 | $30,566 | $32,096 | $1,530 |
| Year 5 | $52,502 | $55,130 | $2,628 |
| Year 10 | $113,366 | $119,041 | $5,675 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pymble or Warrawee cheaper to live in?
Pymble is cheaper to run by car at $9,889 per year versus $10,384 for Warrawee, a difference of $495 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Pymble and Warrawee?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,189 in Pymble (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in) and $2,189 in Warrawee (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Pymble and $1,548 in Warrawee. 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 Pymble and Warrawee?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,302 from Pymble and $4,797 from Warrawee to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Pymble and $2,386 from Warrawee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Pymble and Warrawee?
At 3% annual cost growth, Pymble costs a cumulative $113,366 and Warrawee costs $119,041 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,675 in favour of Pymble. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Pymble and Warrawee 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: Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in and Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in 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.