Wallacia vs Warragamba: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Wallacia and Warragamba are both Wollondilly rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 53.5 km and 56.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Warragamba runs $389 a year cheaper than Wallacia, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,460.
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 →Wallacia
Warragamba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Wallacia | Warragamba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,195 | $2,195 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,989 | $5,650 | +$339 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $2,550 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,332 | $11,943 | +$389 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,743 | $8,693 | +$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Wallacia | Warragamba | 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 — Wallacia vs Warragamba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Warragamba costs $389 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,460 in favour of Warragamba.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $339 per year. Warragamba is 56.2 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, $8,743 and $8,693 a year, so the $389 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Wallacia cumulative | Warragamba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,332 | $11,943 | $389 |
| Year 3 | $38,117 | $36,915 | $1,202 |
| Year 5 | $65,472 | $63,407 | $2,065 |
| Year 10 | $141,373 | $136,913 | $4,460 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wallacia or Warragamba cheaper to live in?
Warragamba is cheaper to run by car at $11,943 per year versus $12,332 for Wallacia, a difference of $389 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Wallacia and Warragamba?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,195 in Wallacia (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and $2,195 in Warragamba (Wollondilly rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Wallacia and $1,548 in Warragamba. 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 Wallacia and Warragamba?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,989 from Wallacia and $5,650 from Warragamba to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Wallacia and $2,400 from Warragamba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Wallacia and Warragamba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Wallacia costs a cumulative $141,373 and Warragamba costs $136,913 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,460 in favour of Warragamba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Wallacia and Warragamba 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.
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Sources: Wollondilly rates (OLG and Wollondilly 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.