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64.1 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Tarrawanna, NSW 2518

Living in a house in Tarrawanna costs about $10,522 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Tarrawanna sits 64.1 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs come in at $10,132, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,800 body corporate levy. At 64.1km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $1,905 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Wollongong Council rates 2026-27, ATO 88c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights
Running costs sit near the Wollongong average, cheaper than 32% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $4,305, roughly 41% of the annual total.
Bushfire risk is rated high here, which lifts home insurance. Full risk detail is in the free report.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$10,522
Driving · per year
$877/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$10,132
Incl. body corporate
$844/month
House vs unit difference
−$390
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Wollongong rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,819
Water & sewerage
Sydney Water 2026-27
$1,548
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 64.1km from CBD · 192 days
$4,305
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Medium · fire High
$2,850
Total annual running cost
$10,522
($877/month)
Near Wollongong average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○ 3.6/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 32% of Wollongong suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
House
$2,148/yr
5,238 kWh
Unit
$1,716/yr
3,929 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Tarrawanna's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Tarrawanna with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Tarrawanna to the CBD?
Public transport saves Tarrawanna residents $1,905 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $4,305 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Tarrawanna?
Tarrawanna falls under Wollongong Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,819 per year for an owner-occupied house, based on OLG data uplifted by the council's IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,819 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Tarrawanna?
Running a unit in Tarrawanna costs approximately $10,132 per year by car or $8,227 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,819, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $1,800, and contents insurance of $660. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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Data sources: Council rates: Wollongong rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Sydney Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.