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Map of Wantirna
23.4 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Wantirna, VIC 3152

Living in a house in Wantirna costs about $10,558 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Wantirna sits 23.4 kilometres from Melbourne CBD. Unit costs reach $11,378, with the $2,300 owners corporation levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 23.4km from the CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $3,566. The gap widens as commute costs rise.

Last updated November 2026 · Knox City Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Running costs sit near the Knox City Council average, cheaper than 42% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $5,789, roughly 55% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $3,566 a year, a significant saving at this distance.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$10,558
Driving · per year
$880/month
About $203 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$11,378
Incl. owners corporation
$948/month
About $219 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$820
Unit costs more per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Knox rates
$1,405
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 South East Water
$1,514
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 23.4km from CBD · 192 days
$5,789
Home insurance
Estimated flood Medium · fire Low
$1,850
Total annual running cost
$10,558
($880/month, $203/week)

Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy on your rates notice: $139 a year plus 17.3 cents per $1,000 of your home's capital improved value (2026-27).

Near Knox City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 5.2/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 42% of Knox City Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,016/yr
4,840 kWh
Unit
$1,629/yr
3,630 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Wantirna's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around Wantirna

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Knox City Shopping Centre, 2,120 m away, about a 27 minute walk. It is a bus stop.
Nearest hospital
Knox Private Hospital, 519 m away, about a 6 minute walk.
Supermarkets
4
Cafes
5
Parks
104
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-11-03. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

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Frequently asked questions about Wantirna

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Wantirna to the CBD?

Public transport saves Wantirna residents $3,566 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $5,789 versus $2,223 by public transport using a yearly myki Pass at the 2026 standard full fare.

What are the council rates in Wantirna?

Wantirna falls under Knox City Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,405 per year, from the council's budget: residential rate revenue divided by the number of residential assessments, plus the council's municipal charge where it sets one. Victorian councils rate on capital improved value, so individual properties pay more or less than the average. The figure excludes waste charges and the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.

What does it cost to run a unit in Wantirna?

Running a unit in Wantirna costs approximately $11,378 per year by car or $7,812 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,405, water and sewerage $1,514, estimated owners corporation levy of $2,300, and contents insurance of $370. Owners corporation fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Wantirna close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Wantirna is Knox City Shopping Centre, a bus stop about 2,120 m away, about a 27 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What is the closest hospital to Wantirna?

The closest hospital to the centre of Wantirna is Knox Private Hospital, about 519 m away, about a 6 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.

What shops and parks are in Wantirna?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Wantirna there are 4 supermarkets, 5 cafes and 104 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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Data sources: Council rates: Knox rates (2026-27 budget). Water: South East Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Flood: Victorian planning scheme flood overlays (FO, LSIO, SBO). Fire: Bushfire Management Overlay and Bushfire Prone Area. Data last verified November 2026.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.