Terara 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
Terara and Worrigee are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 124 km and 126.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Terara runs $400 a year cheaper than Worrigee, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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 →Terara
Worrigee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Terara | 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 | $3,100 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,547 | $23,947 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,347 | $8,747 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Terara | 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 — Terara vs Worrigee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Terara costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Terara.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Worrigee carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,347 from Terara versus $8,747 from Worrigee.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Terara cumulative | Worrigee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,547 | $23,947 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $72,781 | $74,018 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $125,014 | $127,138 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $269,940 | $274,526 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Terara or Worrigee cheaper to live in?
Terara is cheaper to run by car at $23,547 per year versus $23,947 for Worrigee, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Terara and Worrigee?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Terara (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Worrigee (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Terara 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 Terara and Worrigee?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Terara and $17,600 from Worrigee to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Terara and $2,400 from Worrigee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Terara and Worrigee?
At 3% annual cost growth, Terara costs a cumulative $269,940 and Worrigee costs $274,526 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Terara. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Terara and Worrigee 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: 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.