Renwick vs Welby: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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 $797 a year cheaper than Welby, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,136.
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) | $4,079 | $4,176 | -$97 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $2,400 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,219 | $10,016 | -$797 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,540 | $8,240 | -$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Renwick | Welby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Renwick vs Welby (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Renwick costs $797 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,136 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.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,140 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Renwick by $97 a year, $4,079 against $4,176.
- Building insurance favours Renwick by $700 a year, $1,700 against $2,400.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Welby against low in Renwick, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Renwick cumulative | Welby cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,219 | $10,016 | $797 |
| Year 3 | $28,495 | $30,958 | $2,463 |
| Year 5 | $48,945 | $53,176 | $4,231 |
| Year 10 | $105,686 | $114,822 | $9,136 |
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 $9,219 per year versus $10,016 for Welby, a difference of $797 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $4,079 from Renwick and $4,176 from Welby to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $105,686 and Welby costs $114,822 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,136 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.