Badagarang vs Bangalee: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Badagarang and Bangalee are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 122.3 km and 123.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Badagarang runs $400 a year cheaper than Bangalee, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Badagarang
Bangalee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Badagarang | Bangalee | 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 | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,447 | $22,847 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,247 | $7,647 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Badagarang | Bangalee | 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 — Badagarang vs Bangalee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Badagarang costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Badagarang.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,247 from Badagarang versus $7,647 from Bangalee.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Badagarang cumulative | Bangalee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,447 | $22,847 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $69,381 | $70,618 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $119,174 | $121,298 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $257,330 | $261,915 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Badagarang or Bangalee cheaper to live in?
Badagarang is cheaper to run by car at $22,447 per year versus $22,847 for Bangalee, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Badagarang and Bangalee?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Badagarang (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Bangalee (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Badagarang and $1,300 in Bangalee. 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 Badagarang and Bangalee?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Badagarang and $17,600 from Bangalee to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Badagarang and $2,400 from Bangalee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Badagarang and Bangalee?
At 3% annual cost growth, Badagarang costs a cumulative $257,330 and Bangalee costs $261,915 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Badagarang. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Badagarang and Bangalee 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.
Related comparisons
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.