Sylvania Waters vs Taren Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Sylvania Waters and Taren Point are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 18.9 km and 18.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $74 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Sylvania Waters
Taren Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Sylvania Waters | Taren Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,044 | $4,970 | +$74 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,159 | $11,085 | +$74 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,501 | $8,501 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Sylvania Waters | Taren Point | 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 — Sylvania Waters vs Taren Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Sylvania Waters and Taren Point cost within $74 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $848, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $74 per year. Sylvania Waters is 18.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,501 and $8,501 a year, so the $74 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Taren Point by $74 a year, $4,970 against $5,044.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,950 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Sylvania Waters cumulative | Taren Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,159 | $11,085 | $74 |
| Year 3 | $34,491 | $34,263 | $228 |
| Year 5 | $59,245 | $58,852 | $393 |
| Year 10 | $127,925 | $127,077 | $848 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sylvania Waters or Taren Point cheaper to live in?
Taren Point is cheaper to run by car at $11,085 per year versus $11,159 for Sylvania Waters, a difference of $74 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Sylvania Waters and Taren Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Sylvania Waters (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Taren Point (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Sylvania Waters and $1,548 in Taren Point. 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 Sylvania Waters and Taren Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,044 from Sylvania Waters and $4,970 from Taren Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Sylvania Waters and $2,386 from Taren Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Sylvania Waters and Taren Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Sylvania Waters costs a cumulative $127,925 and Taren Point costs $127,077 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $848 in favour of Taren Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Sylvania Waters and Taren Point 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.