Theresa Park vs Werombi: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Theresa Park and Werombi are both Wollondilly rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 54.8 km and 59.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Werombi runs $1,104 a year cheaper than Theresa Park, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,657.
Over 10 years, Werombi costs about $12,700 less to run than Theresa Park — the same as paying $12,700 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 →Theresa Park
Werombi
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Theresa Park | Werombi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,195 | $2,195 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,032 | $5,378 | +$654 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $2,150 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,375 | $11,271 | +$1,104 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,743 | $8,293 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Theresa Park | Werombi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Theresa Park vs Werombi (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Werombi costs $1,104 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,657 in favour of Werombi.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $654 per year. Werombi is 59.2 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $8,743 from Theresa Park versus $8,293 from Werombi.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,195 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Werombi by $654 a year, $5,378 against $6,032.
- Building insurance favours Werombi by $450 a year, $2,150 against $2,600.
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 medium in Theresa Park against low in Werombi, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Theresa Park cumulative | Werombi cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,375 | $11,271 | $1,104 |
| Year 3 | $38,250 | $34,838 | $3,412 |
| Year 5 | $65,701 | $59,839 | $5,862 |
| Year 10 | $141,866 | $129,209 | $12,657 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Theresa Park or Werombi cheaper to live in?
Werombi is cheaper to run by car at $11,271 per year versus $12,375 for Theresa Park, a difference of $1,104 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Theresa Park and Werombi?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,195 in Theresa Park (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and $2,195 in Werombi (Wollondilly rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Theresa Park and $1,548 in Werombi. 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 Theresa Park and Werombi?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,032 from Theresa Park and $5,378 from Werombi to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Theresa Park and $2,400 from Werombi.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Theresa Park and Werombi?
At 3% annual cost growth, Theresa Park costs a cumulative $141,866 and Werombi costs $129,209 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,657 in favour of Werombi. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Theresa Park and Werombi 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: Wollondilly rates (OLG and Wollondilly 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.