Queens Park vs Waverley, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Queens Park and Waverley are both Waverley rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 4.7 km and 5.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Queens Park runs $304 a year cheaper than Waverley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,485.
Over 10 years, Queens Park costs about $3,500 less to run than Waverley. That's about $7 a week.
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Waverley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Queens Park | Waverley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,344 | $1,344 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,546 | $1,850 | -$304 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $2,600 | +$900 |
| Total (driving) | $5,938 | $6,242 | -$304 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,312 | $6,312 | - |
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 | Queens Park | Waverley | 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, Queens Park vs Waverley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Queens Park costs $304 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,485 in favour of Queens Park.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $304 per year. Waverley is 5.7 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, $6,312 and $6,312 a year, so the $304 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,344 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Queens Park by $304 a year, $1,546 against $1,850.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,500 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 | Queens Park cumulative | Waverley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,938 | $6,242 | $304 |
| Year 3 | $18,354 | $19,293 | $939 |
| Year 5 | $31,526 | $33,140 | $1,614 |
| Year 10 | $68,073 | $71,558 | $3,485 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Queens Park or Waverley cheaper to live in?
Queens Park is cheaper to run by car at $5,938 per year versus $6,242 for Waverley, a difference of $304 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Queens Park and Waverley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,344 in Queens Park (Waverley rates (OLG) and $1,344 in Waverley (Waverley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Queens Park and $1,548 in Waverley. 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 Queens Park and Waverley?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,546 from Queens Park and $1,850 from Waverley to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Queens Park and $1,920 from Waverley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Queens Park and Waverley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Queens Park costs a cumulative $68,073 and Waverley costs $71,558 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,485 in favour of Queens Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Queens Park and Waverley suits you better?
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Sources: Waverley rates (OLG and Waverley 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.