Renwick vs Welby: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Renwick and Welby are both Wingecarribee rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 93.4 km and 95.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Renwick runs $793 a year cheaper than Welby, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,091.
Over 10 years, Renwick costs about $9,100 less to run than Welby — the same as paying $9,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Welby
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Renwick | Welby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,140 | $2,140 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,945 | $4,038 | -$93 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $2,400 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,085 | $9,878 | -$793 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,540 | $8,240 | -$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Renwick | Welby | 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 — Renwick vs Welby (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Renwick costs $793 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,091 in favour of Renwick.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $7,540 from Renwick versus $8,240 from Welby.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Renwick cumulative | Welby cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,085 | $9,878 | $793 |
| Year 3 | $28,081 | $30,532 | $2,451 |
| Year 5 | $48,233 | $52,444 | $4,211 |
| Year 10 | $104,149 | $113,240 | $9,091 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Renwick or Welby cheaper to live in?
Renwick is cheaper to run by car at $9,085 per year versus $9,878 for Welby, a difference of $793 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Renwick and Welby?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,140 in Renwick (Wingecarribee rates (OLG) and $2,140 in Welby (Wingecarribee rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Renwick and $1,300 in Welby. 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 Renwick and Welby?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,945 from Renwick and $4,038 from Welby to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Renwick and $2,400 from Welby.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Renwick and Welby?
At 3% annual cost growth, Renwick costs a cumulative $104,149 and Welby costs $113,240 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,091 in favour of Renwick. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Renwick and Welby is best to actually live in?
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Sources: Wingecarribee rates (OLG and Wingecarribee 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.