Turramurra vs Wahroonga: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Turramurra and Wahroonga are both Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in suburbs, sitting 16.9 km and 18.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Turramurra runs $338 a year cheaper than Wahroonga, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,875.
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 →Turramurra
Wahroonga
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Turramurra | Wahroonga | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,189 | $2,189 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,504 | $4,842 | -$338 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,391 | $10,729 | -$338 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,273 | $8,273 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Turramurra | Wahroonga | 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 — Turramurra vs Wahroonga (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Turramurra costs $338 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,875 in favour of Turramurra.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $338 per year. Wahroonga is 18.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,273 and $8,273 a year, so the $338 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Turramurra cumulative | Wahroonga cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,391 | $10,729 | $338 |
| Year 3 | $32,118 | $33,162 | $1,044 |
| Year 5 | $55,167 | $56,962 | $1,795 |
| Year 10 | $119,121 | $122,996 | $3,875 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Turramurra or Wahroonga cheaper to live in?
Turramurra is cheaper to run by car at $10,391 per year versus $10,729 for Wahroonga, a difference of $338 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Turramurra and Wahroonga?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,189 in Turramurra (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in) and $2,189 in Wahroonga (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Turramurra and $1,548 in Wahroonga. 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 Turramurra and Wahroonga?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,504 from Turramurra and $4,842 from Wahroonga to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Turramurra and $2,386 from Wahroonga.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Turramurra and Wahroonga?
At 3% annual cost growth, Turramurra costs a cumulative $119,121 and Wahroonga costs $122,996 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,875 in favour of Turramurra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Turramurra and Wahroonga 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: Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in and Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in 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.