Uloola vs Waterfall, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Uloola and Waterfall are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 32.3 km and 35.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $158 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, Uloola costs about $1,800 less to run than Waterfall. That's about $3 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Sydney suburbs that fit your budget →Uloola
Waterfall
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Uloola | Waterfall | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,730 | $6,888 | -$158 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,745 | $11,903 | -$158 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,415 | $7,415 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Uloola | Waterfall | 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, Uloola vs Waterfall (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Uloola and Waterfall cost within $158 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,812, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $158 per year. Waterfall is 35.2 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, $7,415 and $7,415 a year, so the $158 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 Uloola by $158 a year, $6,730 against $6,888.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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 | Uloola cumulative | Waterfall cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,745 | $11,903 | $158 |
| Year 3 | $36,303 | $36,791 | $488 |
| Year 5 | $62,356 | $63,195 | $839 |
| Year 10 | $134,643 | $136,455 | $1,812 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Uloola or Waterfall cheaper to live in?
Uloola is cheaper to run by car at $11,745 per year versus $11,903 for Waterfall, a difference of $158 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Uloola and Waterfall?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Uloola (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Waterfall (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Uloola and $1,548 in Waterfall. 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 Uloola and Waterfall?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,730 from Uloola and $6,888 from Waterfall to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Uloola and $2,400 from Waterfall.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Uloola and Waterfall?
At 3% annual cost growth, Uloola costs a cumulative $134,643 and Waterfall costs $136,455 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,812 in favour of Uloola. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Uloola and Waterfall suits you better?
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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.