Balgownie vs Fairy Meadow: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Balgownie and Fairy Meadow are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 65.4 km and 65.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Balgownie runs $393 a year cheaper than Fairy Meadow, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,506.
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 →Balgownie
Fairy Meadow
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Balgownie | Fairy Meadow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,033 | $4,076 | -$43 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,800 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,850 | $10,243 | -$393 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,217 | $8,567 | -$350 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Balgownie | Fairy Meadow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Balgownie vs Fairy Meadow (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Balgownie costs $393 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,506 in favour of Balgownie.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year. Fairy Meadow carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $8,217 from Balgownie versus $8,567 from Fairy Meadow.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Balgownie cumulative | Fairy Meadow cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,850 | $10,243 | $393 |
| Year 3 | $30,445 | $31,660 | $1,215 |
| Year 5 | $52,295 | $54,381 | $2,086 |
| Year 10 | $112,919 | $117,425 | $4,506 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Balgownie or Fairy Meadow cheaper to live in?
Balgownie is cheaper to run by car at $9,850 per year versus $10,243 for Fairy Meadow, a difference of $393 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Balgownie and Fairy Meadow?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Balgownie (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Fairy Meadow (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Balgownie and $1,548 in Fairy Meadow. 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 Balgownie and Fairy Meadow?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,033 from Balgownie and $4,076 from Fairy Meadow to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Balgownie and $2,400 from Fairy Meadow.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Balgownie and Fairy Meadow?
At 3% annual cost growth, Balgownie costs a cumulative $112,919 and Fairy Meadow costs $117,425 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,506 in favour of Balgownie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Balgownie and Fairy Meadow 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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.