Stanwell Park vs Stanwell Tops: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Stanwell Park and Stanwell Tops are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 45.2 km and 44.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Stanwell Tops runs $1,071 a year cheaper than Stanwell Park, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,278.
Over 10 years, Stanwell Tops costs about $12,300 less to run than Stanwell Park — the same as paying $12,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Stanwell Park
Stanwell Tops
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Stanwell Park | Stanwell Tops | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,644 | $6,673 | -$29 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,650 | $2,550 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,661 | $12,590 | +$1,071 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,417 | $8,317 | +$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 | Stanwell Park | Stanwell Tops | 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 — Stanwell Park vs Stanwell Tops (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Stanwell Tops costs $1,071 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,278 in favour of Stanwell Tops.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Stanwell Park carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $9,417 from Stanwell Park versus $8,317 from Stanwell Tops.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Stanwell Park cumulative | Stanwell Tops cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,661 | $12,590 | $1,071 |
| Year 3 | $42,225 | $38,914 | $3,311 |
| Year 5 | $72,528 | $66,842 | $5,686 |
| Year 10 | $156,608 | $144,330 | $12,278 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stanwell Park or Stanwell Tops cheaper to live in?
Stanwell Tops is cheaper to run by car at $12,590 per year versus $13,661 for Stanwell Park, a difference of $1,071 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Stanwell Park and Stanwell Tops?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Stanwell Park (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Stanwell Tops (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Stanwell Park and $1,548 in Stanwell Tops. 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 Stanwell Park and Stanwell Tops?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,644 from Stanwell Park and $6,673 from Stanwell Tops to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Stanwell Park and $2,400 from Stanwell Tops.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Stanwell Park and Stanwell Tops?
At 3% annual cost growth, Stanwell Park costs a cumulative $156,608 and Stanwell Tops costs $144,330 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,278 in favour of Stanwell Tops. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Stanwell Park and Stanwell Tops 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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.