True annual cost of living in Werri Beach, NSW 2534
Living in a house in Werri Beach costs about $13,144 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Werri Beach sits 34.1 kilometres from Wollongong CBD. Unit costs come in at $12,784, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,800 body corporate levy. At 34.1km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $4,437 more per year than public transport users.
ATO 91c/km · 34.1km from Wollongong CBD · 192 days
$6,837
Home insurance
Estimated · flood High · fire Low
$2,800
Body corporate
Estimated
$1,800
Total annual running cost
$13,144
($1,095/month)
↑ 11% above Kiama average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○3.7/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 22% of Kiama suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost
typical 2-person household
House
$2,442/yr
5,238 kWh
Unit
$2,001/yr
3,929 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Werri Beach'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 Werri Beach
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Gerringong, 2,166 m away, about a 27 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Kiama Hospital & Community Health Service, 5,505 m away, about a 69 minute walk.
Supermarkets
1
Cafes
3
Parks
11
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. 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.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Werri Beach to Wollongong CBD?
Public transport saves Werri Beach residents $4,437 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,837 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Werri Beach?
Werri Beach falls under Kiama Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,959 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 $1,959 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Werri Beach?
Running a unit in Werri Beach costs approximately $12,784 per year by car or $8,347 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,959, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $1,800, and contents insurance of $640. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Werri Beach close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Werri Beach is Gerringong, a train stop about 2,166 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 Werri Beach?
The closest hospital to the centre of Werri Beach is Kiama Hospital & Community Health Service, about 5,505 m away, about a 69 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 Werri Beach?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Werri Beach there is 1 supermarket, 3 cafes and 11 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
Your report is opening in a new tab. Check your inbox if it doesn't appear within a minute.
Data sources: Council rates: Kiama rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Sydney Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/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.