Rodd Point vs Wareemba, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Rodd Point and Wareemba are both Canada Bay rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 5.9 km and 7.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rodd Point runs $351 a year cheaper than Wareemba, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,024.
Over 10 years, Rodd Point costs about $4,000 less to run than Wareemba. That's about $8 a week.
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Wareemba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Rodd Point | Wareemba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,268 | $1,268 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,910 | $2,261 | -$351 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,576 | $6,927 | -$351 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,586 | $6,586 | - |
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 | Rodd Point | Wareemba | 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, Rodd Point vs Wareemba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rodd Point costs $351 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,024 in favour of Rodd Point.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $351 per year. Wareemba is 7.1 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, $6,586 and $6,586 a year, so the $351 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,268 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Rodd Point by $351 a year, $1,910 against $2,261.
- 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 | Rodd Point cumulative | Wareemba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,576 | $6,927 | $351 |
| Year 3 | $20,326 | $21,411 | $1,085 |
| Year 5 | $34,913 | $36,776 | $1,863 |
| Year 10 | $75,386 | $79,410 | $4,024 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rodd Point or Wareemba cheaper to live in?
Rodd Point is cheaper to run by car at $6,576 per year versus $6,927 for Wareemba, a difference of $351 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Rodd Point and Wareemba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,268 in Rodd Point (Canada Bay rates (OLG) and $1,268 in Wareemba (Canada Bay rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Rodd Point and $1,548 in Wareemba. 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 Rodd Point and Wareemba?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,910 from Rodd Point and $2,261 from Wareemba to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Rodd Point and $1,920 from Wareemba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Rodd Point and Wareemba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Rodd Point costs a cumulative $75,386 and Wareemba costs $79,410 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,024 in favour of Rodd Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Rodd Point and Wareemba suits you better?
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Sources: Canada Bay rates (OLG and Canada Bay 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.