St Leonards vs Wollstonecraft: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
St Leonards (Willoughby rates (OLG) and Wollstonecraft (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (5.3 km and 4.3 km).
Wollstonecraft runs $311 a year cheaper than St Leonards, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,565.
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 →St Leonards
Wollstonecraft
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | St Leonards | Wollstonecraft | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,327 | +$14 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,672 | $1,375 | +$297 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $3,500 | -$900 |
| Total (driving) | $6,411 | $6,100 | +$311 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,659 | $6,645 | +$14 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | St Leonards | Wollstonecraft | 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 — St Leonards vs Wollstonecraft (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wollstonecraft costs $311 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,565 in favour of Wollstonecraft.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $297 per year. St Leonards is 5.3 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,659 and $6,645 a year, so the $311 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | St Leonards cumulative | Wollstonecraft cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,411 | $6,100 | $311 |
| Year 3 | $19,816 | $18,854 | $962 |
| Year 5 | $34,037 | $32,386 | $1,651 |
| Year 10 | $73,495 | $69,930 | $3,565 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is St Leonards or Wollstonecraft cheaper to live in?
Wollstonecraft is cheaper to run by car at $6,100 per year versus $6,411 for St Leonards, a difference of $311 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in St Leonards and Wollstonecraft?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in St Leonards (Willoughby rates (OLG) and $1,327 in Wollstonecraft (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in St Leonards and $1,548 in Wollstonecraft. 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 St Leonards and Wollstonecraft?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,672 from St Leonards and $1,375 from Wollstonecraft to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from St Leonards and $1,920 from Wollstonecraft.
What is the 10-year cost difference between St Leonards and Wollstonecraft?
At 3% annual cost growth, St Leonards costs a cumulative $73,495 and Wollstonecraft costs $69,930 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,565 in favour of Wollstonecraft. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of St Leonards and Wollstonecraft 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: Willoughby rates (OLG and North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in 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.