Waverton vs Wollstonecraft, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Waverton and Wollstonecraft are both North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in suburbs, sitting 3.2 km and 4.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $251 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 the gap between these two is about $2,900, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Wollstonecraft
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Waverton | Wollstonecraft | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,327 | $1,327 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,073 | $1,422 | -$349 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $1,500 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,048 | $5,797 | +$251 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,895 | $6,295 | +$600 |
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 | Waverton | Wollstonecraft | 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, Waverton vs Wollstonecraft (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Waverton and Wollstonecraft differ by $251 a year by car, but $600 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $349, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year. Waverton carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $6,895 from Waverton versus $6,295 from Wollstonecraft.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,327 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Waverton by $349 a year, $1,073 against $1,422.
- Building insurance favours Wollstonecraft by $600 a year, $1,500 against $2,100.
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 Waverton against low in Wollstonecraft, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Waverton against low in Wollstonecraft, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Waverton cumulative | Wollstonecraft cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,048 | $5,797 | $251 |
| Year 3 | $18,694 | $17,918 | $776 |
| Year 5 | $32,110 | $30,777 | $1,333 |
| Year 10 | $69,334 | $66,456 | $2,878 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Waverton or Wollstonecraft cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Waverton runs $6,048 a year by car and Wollstonecraft $5,797, but most of the $251 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $349. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Waverton and Wollstonecraft?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,327 in Waverton (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in) and $1,327 in Wollstonecraft (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Waverton and $1,548 in Wollstonecraft. 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 Waverton and Wollstonecraft?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,073 from Waverton and $1,422 from Wollstonecraft to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Waverton and $1,920 from Wollstonecraft.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Waverton and Wollstonecraft?
At 3% annual cost growth, Waverton costs a cumulative $69,334 and Wollstonecraft costs $66,456 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,878 in favour of Wollstonecraft. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Waverton and Wollstonecraft 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.
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Sources: North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in and North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in 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.