Sutherland vs Woronora: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Sutherland and Woronora are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 22.6 km and 23.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Sutherland runs $1,474 a year cheaper than Woronora, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $16,898.
Over 10 years, Sutherland costs about $16,900 less to run than Woronora — the same as paying $16,900 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 →Sutherland
Woronora
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Sutherland | Woronora | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,667 | $5,741 | -$74 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $3,250 | -$1,400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,682 | $12,156 | -$1,474 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,415 | $8,815 | -$1,400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Sutherland | Woronora | 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 — Sutherland vs Woronora (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Sutherland costs $1,474 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $16,898 in favour of Sutherland.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,400 per year. Woronora carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,400 per year, $7,415 from Sutherland versus $8,815 from Woronora.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,617 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Sutherland by $74 a year, $5,667 against $5,741.
- Building insurance favours Sutherland by $1,400 a year, $1,850 against $3,250.
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 Woronora against low in Sutherland, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Woronora against low in Sutherland, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 8.5 in Sutherland against 7.4 in Woronora, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Sutherland cumulative | Woronora cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,682 | $12,156 | $1,474 |
| Year 3 | $33,017 | $37,573 | $4,556 |
| Year 5 | $56,712 | $64,538 | $7,826 |
| Year 10 | $122,457 | $139,355 | $16,898 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sutherland or Woronora cheaper to live in?
Sutherland is cheaper to run by car at $10,682 per year versus $12,156 for Woronora, a difference of $1,474 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Sutherland and Woronora?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Sutherland (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Woronora (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Sutherland and $1,548 in Woronora. 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 Sutherland and Woronora?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,667 from Sutherland and $5,741 from Woronora to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Sutherland and $2,400 from Woronora.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Sutherland and Woronora?
At 3% annual cost growth, Sutherland costs a cumulative $122,457 and Woronora costs $139,355 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $16,898 in favour of Sutherland. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Sutherland and Woronora 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: Sutherland rates (OLG and Sutherland 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.