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.
Wollstonecraft runs $401 a year cheaper than Waverton, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,597.
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 →Waverton
Wollstonecraft
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Waverton | Wollstonecraft | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,327 | $1,327 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,073 | $1,422 | -$349 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $1,850 | +$750 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,548 | $6,147 | +$401 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,395 | $6,645 | +$750 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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
Wollstonecraft costs $401 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,597 in favour of Wollstonecraft.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $750 per year. Waverton carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $750 per year, $7,395 from Waverton versus $6,645 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 $750 a year, $1,850 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 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 | $6,548 | $6,147 | $401 |
| Year 3 | $20,239 | $19,000 | $1,239 |
| Year 5 | $34,764 | $32,635 | $2,129 |
| Year 10 | $75,065 | $70,468 | $4,597 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Waverton or Wollstonecraft cheaper to live in?
Wollstonecraft is cheaper to run by car at $6,147 per year versus $6,548 for Waverton, a difference of $401 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. 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 $75,065 and Wollstonecraft costs $70,468 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,597 in favour of Wollstonecraft. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Waverton and Wollstonecraft 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.