Smithfield vs Woodpark: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Smithfield and Woodpark are both Cumberland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 24.9 km and 23.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Woodpark runs $693 a year cheaper than Smithfield, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,945.
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 →Smithfield
Woodpark
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Smithfield | Woodpark | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,083 | $1,083 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,795 | $5,552 | +$243 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,726 | $10,033 | +$693 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,331 | $6,881 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Smithfield | Woodpark | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Smithfield vs Woodpark (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Woodpark costs $693 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,945 in favour of Woodpark.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Smithfield carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,331 from Smithfield versus $6,881 from Woodpark.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Smithfield cumulative | Woodpark cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,726 | $10,033 | $693 |
| Year 3 | $33,153 | $31,011 | $2,142 |
| Year 5 | $56,946 | $53,267 | $3,679 |
| Year 10 | $122,962 | $115,017 | $7,945 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Smithfield or Woodpark cheaper to live in?
Woodpark is cheaper to run by car at $10,033 per year versus $10,726 for Smithfield, a difference of $693 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Smithfield and Woodpark?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,083 in Smithfield (Cumberland rates (OLG) and $1,083 in Woodpark (Cumberland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Smithfield and $1,548 in Woodpark. 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 Smithfield and Woodpark?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,795 from Smithfield and $5,552 from Woodpark to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Smithfield and $2,400 from Woodpark.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Smithfield and Woodpark?
At 3% annual cost growth, Smithfield costs a cumulative $122,962 and Woodpark costs $115,017 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,945 in favour of Woodpark. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Smithfield and Woodpark 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: Cumberland rates (OLG and Cumberland 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.