Rose Valley vs Werri Beach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Rose Valley and Werri Beach are both Kiama rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 32.5 km and 34.1 km from Wollongong CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $44 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Rose Valley
Werri Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Rose Valley | Werri Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,959 | $1,959 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,743 | $6,837 | -$94 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,800 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,100 | $13,144 | -$44 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,757 | $8,707 | +$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Rose Valley | Werri Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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 — Rose Valley vs Werri Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rose Valley and Werri Beach cost within $44 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $504, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $94 per year. Werri Beach is 34.1 km from Wollongong CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,757 and $8,707 a year, so the $44 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,959 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Rose Valley by $94 a year, $6,743 against $6,837.
- Building insurance favours Werri Beach by $50 a year, $2,800 against $2,850.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Werri Beach against medium in Rose Valley, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Rose Valley against low in Werri Beach, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Rose Valley cumulative | Werri Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,100 | $13,144 | $44 |
| Year 3 | $40,491 | $40,627 | $136 |
| Year 5 | $69,550 | $69,783 | $233 |
| Year 10 | $150,177 | $150,681 | $504 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rose Valley or Werri Beach cheaper to live in?
Rose Valley is cheaper to run by car at $13,100 per year versus $13,144 for Werri Beach, a difference of $44 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Rose Valley and Werri Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,959 in Rose Valley (Kiama rates (OLG) and $1,959 in Werri Beach (Kiama rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Rose Valley and $1,548 in Werri Beach. 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 Rose Valley and Werri Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,743 from Rose Valley and $6,837 from Werri Beach to Wollongong CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Rose Valley and $2,400 from Werri Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Rose Valley and Werri Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Rose Valley costs a cumulative $150,177 and Werri Beach costs $150,681 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $504 in favour of Rose Valley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Rose Valley and Werri Beach 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.
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Sources: Kiama rates (OLG and Kiama 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.