Silverdale vs Warragamba, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Silverdale and Warragamba are both Wollondilly rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 58.6 km and 56.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Silverdale runs $365 a year cheaper than Warragamba, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,185.
Over 10 years, Silverdale costs about $4,200 less to run than Warragamba. That's about $8 a week.
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Warragamba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Silverdale | Warragamba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $2,195 | $2,195 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,478 | $5,843 | -$365 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $2,050 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,271 | $11,636 | -$365 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,193 | $8,193 | - |
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 | Silverdale | Warragamba | 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, Silverdale vs Warragamba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Silverdale costs $365 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,185 in favour of Silverdale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $365 per year. Silverdale is 58.6 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, $8,193 and $8,193 a year, so the $365 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,195 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Silverdale by $365 a year, $5,478 against $5,843.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,050 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 | Silverdale cumulative | Warragamba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,271 | $11,636 | $365 |
| Year 3 | $34,838 | $35,966 | $1,128 |
| Year 5 | $59,839 | $61,777 | $1,938 |
| Year 10 | $129,209 | $133,394 | $4,185 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Silverdale or Warragamba cheaper to live in?
Silverdale is cheaper to run by car at $11,271 per year versus $11,636 for Warragamba, a difference of $365 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Silverdale and Warragamba?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,195 in Silverdale (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and $2,195 in Warragamba (Wollondilly rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Silverdale and $1,548 in Warragamba. 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 Silverdale and Warragamba?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,478 from Silverdale and $5,843 from Warragamba to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Silverdale and $2,400 from Warragamba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Silverdale and Warragamba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Silverdale costs a cumulative $129,209 and Warragamba costs $133,394 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,185 in favour of Silverdale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Silverdale and Warragamba suits you better?
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Sources: Wollondilly rates (OLG and Wollondilly 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.