Russell Lea vs Wareemba: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Russell Lea and Wareemba are both Canada Bay rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 6.5 km and 7.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Russell Lea runs $818 a year cheaper than Wareemba, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,378.
Over 10 years, Russell Lea costs about $9,400 less to run than Wareemba — the same as paying $9,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Russell Lea
Wareemba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Russell Lea | Wareemba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,268 | $1,268 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,018 | $2,186 | -$168 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,134 | $7,952 | -$818 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,036 | $7,686 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Russell Lea | Wareemba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Russell Lea vs Wareemba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Russell Lea costs $818 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,378 in favour of Russell Lea.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Wareemba carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,036 from Russell Lea versus $7,686 from Wareemba.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Russell Lea cumulative | Wareemba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,134 | $7,952 | $818 |
| Year 3 | $22,050 | $24,579 | $2,529 |
| Year 5 | $37,875 | $42,218 | $4,343 |
| Year 10 | $81,783 | $91,161 | $9,378 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Russell Lea or Wareemba cheaper to live in?
Russell Lea is cheaper to run by car at $7,134 per year versus $7,952 for Wareemba, a difference of $818 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Russell Lea and Wareemba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,268 in Russell Lea (Canada Bay rates (OLG) and $1,268 in Wareemba (Canada Bay rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Russell Lea 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 Russell Lea and Wareemba?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,018 from Russell Lea and $2,186 from Wareemba to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Russell Lea and $1,920 from Wareemba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Russell Lea and Wareemba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Russell Lea costs a cumulative $81,783 and Wareemba costs $91,161 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,378 in favour of Russell Lea. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Russell Lea and Wareemba 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.
Related comparisons
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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.