Back Forest vs Bolong: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Back Forest and Bolong are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 118 km and 119.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Back Forest
Bolong
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Back Forest | Bolong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,547 | $23,547 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,347 | $8,347 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Back Forest | Bolong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Back Forest vs Bolong (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Back Forest and Bolong cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,347 and $8,347 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Back Forest cumulative | Bolong cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,547 | $23,547 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,781 | $72,781 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $125,014 | $125,014 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $269,940 | $269,940 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Back Forest or Bolong cheaper to live in?
Back Forest is cheaper to run by car at $23,547 per year versus $23,547 for Bolong, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Back Forest and Bolong?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Back Forest (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Bolong (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Back Forest and $1,300 in Bolong. 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 Back Forest and Bolong?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Back Forest and $17,600 from Bolong to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Back Forest and $2,400 from Bolong.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Back Forest and Bolong?
At 3% annual cost growth, Back Forest costs a cumulative $269,940 and Bolong costs $269,940 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Back Forest. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Back Forest and Bolong 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.
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Sources: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Shoalhaven rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.