Balaclava vs Welby: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Balaclava and Welby are both Wingecarribee rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 92.3 km and 95.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Balaclava runs $544 a year cheaper than Welby, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,236.
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 →Balaclava
Welby
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Balaclava | Welby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,140 | $2,140 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,032 | $4,176 | -$144 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,472 | $10,016 | -$544 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,840 | $8,240 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Balaclava | Welby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Balaclava vs Welby (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Balaclava costs $544 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,236 in favour of Balaclava.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,840 from Balaclava versus $8,240 from Welby.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,140 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Balaclava by $144 a year, $4,032 against $4,176.
- Building insurance favours Balaclava by $400 a year, $2,000 against $2,400.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Welby against medium in Balaclava, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Balaclava cumulative | Welby cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,472 | $10,016 | $544 |
| Year 3 | $29,277 | $30,958 | $1,681 |
| Year 5 | $50,288 | $53,176 | $2,888 |
| Year 10 | $108,586 | $114,822 | $6,236 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Balaclava or Welby cheaper to live in?
Balaclava is cheaper to run by car at $9,472 per year versus $10,016 for Welby, a difference of $544 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Balaclava and Welby?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,140 in Balaclava (Wingecarribee rates (OLG) and $2,140 in Welby (Wingecarribee rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Balaclava and $1,300 in Welby. 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 Balaclava and Welby?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,032 from Balaclava and $4,176 from Welby to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Balaclava and $2,400 from Welby.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Balaclava and Welby?
At 3% annual cost growth, Balaclava costs a cumulative $108,586 and Welby costs $114,822 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,236 in favour of Balaclava. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Balaclava and Welby 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: Wingecarribee rates (OLG and Wingecarribee rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.