Willoughby vs Willoughby East: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Willoughby and Willoughby East are both Willoughby rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 6.8 km and 7.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $257 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 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 →Willoughby
Willoughby East
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Willoughby | Willoughby East | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,175 | $2,432 | -$257 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,914 | $7,171 | -$257 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,659 | $6,659 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Willoughby | Willoughby East | 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 — Willoughby vs Willoughby East (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Willoughby and Willoughby East cost within $257 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,946, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $257 per year. Willoughby East is 7.7 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, $6,659 and $6,659 a year, so the $257 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,341 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Willoughby by $257 a year, $2,175 against $2,432.
- 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 | Willoughby cumulative | Willoughby East cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,914 | $7,171 | $257 |
| Year 3 | $21,370 | $22,165 | $795 |
| Year 5 | $36,707 | $38,072 | $1,365 |
| Year 10 | $79,261 | $82,207 | $2,946 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Willoughby or Willoughby East cheaper to live in?
Willoughby is cheaper to run by car at $6,914 per year versus $7,171 for Willoughby East, a difference of $257 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Willoughby and Willoughby East?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Willoughby (Willoughby rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Willoughby East (Willoughby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Willoughby and $1,548 in Willoughby East. 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 Willoughby and Willoughby East?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,175 from Willoughby and $2,432 from Willoughby East to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Willoughby and $1,920 from Willoughby East.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Willoughby and Willoughby East?
At 3% annual cost growth, Willoughby costs a cumulative $79,261 and Willoughby East costs $82,207 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,946 in favour of Willoughby. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Willoughby and Willoughby East 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: Willoughby rates (OLG and Willoughby rates (OLG 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.