Woronora vs Woronora Heights, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Woronora and Woronora Heights are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 23.1 km and 24.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $38 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.
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Woronora Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Woronora | Woronora Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,741 | $5,979 | -$238 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,150 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,256 | $11,294 | -$38 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,915 | $7,715 | +$200 |
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 | Woronora | Woronora Heights | 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, Woronora vs Woronora Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Woronora and Woronora Heights cost within $38 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $436, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $238 per year. Woronora Heights is 24.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,915 from Woronora versus $7,715 from Woronora Heights.
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 Woronora by $238 a year, $5,741 against $5,979.
- Building insurance favours Woronora Heights by $200 a year, $2,150 against $2,350.
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 high in Woronora against medium in Woronora Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Woronora Heights against medium in Woronora, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Woronora cumulative | Woronora Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,256 | $11,294 | $38 |
| Year 3 | $34,791 | $34,909 | $118 |
| Year 5 | $59,760 | $59,961 | $201 |
| Year 10 | $129,037 | $129,473 | $436 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Woronora or Woronora Heights cheaper to live in?
Woronora is cheaper to run by car at $11,256 per year versus $11,294 for Woronora Heights, a difference of $38 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Woronora and Woronora Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Woronora (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Woronora Heights (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Woronora and $1,548 in Woronora Heights. 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 Woronora and Woronora Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,741 from Woronora and $5,979 from Woronora Heights to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Woronora and $2,400 from Woronora Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Woronora and Woronora Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Woronora costs a cumulative $129,037 and Woronora Heights costs $129,473 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $436 in favour of Woronora. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Woronora and Woronora Heights suits you better?
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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.