South Nowra vs Worrigee: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
South Nowra and Worrigee are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 128 km and 126.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
South Nowra runs $1,100 a year cheaper than Worrigee, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,611.
Over 10 years, South Nowra costs about $12,600 less to run than Worrigee — the same as paying $12,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Worrigee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | South Nowra | Worrigee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $3,500 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,847 | $23,947 | -$1,100 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,647 | $8,747 | -$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | South Nowra | Worrigee | 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 — South Nowra vs Worrigee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
South Nowra costs $1,100 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,611 in favour of South Nowra.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Worrigee carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $7,647 from South Nowra versus $8,747 from Worrigee.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | South Nowra cumulative | Worrigee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,847 | $23,947 | $1,100 |
| Year 3 | $70,618 | $74,018 | $3,400 |
| Year 5 | $121,298 | $127,138 | $5,840 |
| Year 10 | $261,915 | $274,526 | $12,611 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is South Nowra or Worrigee cheaper to live in?
South Nowra is cheaper to run by car at $22,847 per year versus $23,947 for Worrigee, a difference of $1,100 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in South Nowra and Worrigee?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in South Nowra (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Worrigee (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in South Nowra and $1,300 in Worrigee. 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 South Nowra and Worrigee?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from South Nowra and $17,600 from Worrigee to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from South Nowra and $2,400 from Worrigee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between South Nowra and Worrigee?
At 3% annual cost growth, South Nowra costs a cumulative $261,915 and Worrigee costs $274,526 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,611 in favour of South Nowra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of South Nowra and Worrigee is best to actually live in?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Shoalhaven 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.