Silverwater vs Sunshine: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Silverwater and Sunshine are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 91.4 km and 90.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Sunshine runs $703 a year cheaper than Silverwater, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,059.
Over 10 years, Sunshine costs about $8,100 less to run than Silverwater — the same as paying $8,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Sunshine
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Silverwater | Sunshine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,993 | $3,940 | +$53 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $2,850 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,633 | $9,930 | +$703 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,040 | $8,390 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Silverwater | Sunshine | 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 — Silverwater vs Sunshine (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Sunshine costs $703 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,059 in favour of Sunshine.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Silverwater carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $9,040 from Silverwater versus $8,390 from Sunshine.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,763 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Sunshine by $53 a year, $3,940 against $3,993.
- Building insurance favours Sunshine by $650 a year, $2,850 against $3,500.
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 Silverwater against medium in Sunshine, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Silverwater cumulative | Sunshine cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,633 | $9,930 | $703 |
| Year 3 | $32,866 | $30,693 | $2,173 |
| Year 5 | $56,452 | $52,720 | $3,732 |
| Year 10 | $121,895 | $113,836 | $8,059 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Silverwater or Sunshine cheaper to live in?
Sunshine is cheaper to run by car at $9,930 per year versus $10,633 for Silverwater, a difference of $703 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Silverwater and Sunshine?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Silverwater (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Sunshine (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Silverwater and $1,377 in Sunshine. 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 Silverwater and Sunshine?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,993 from Silverwater and $3,940 from Sunshine to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Silverwater and $2,400 from Sunshine.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Silverwater and Sunshine?
At 3% annual cost growth, Silverwater costs a cumulative $121,895 and Sunshine costs $113,836 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,059 in favour of Sunshine. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Silverwater and Sunshine 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: Lake Macquarie rates (OLG and Lake Macquarie 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.