Balgownie vs Fairy Meadow, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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.
The two sit within $295 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.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $3,400, about $7 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Fairy Meadow
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Balgownie | Fairy Meadow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,170 | $4,215 | -$45 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,850 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,137 | $9,432 | -$295 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,367 | $7,617 | -$250 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Balgownie | Fairy Meadow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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, Balgownie vs Fairy Meadow (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Balgownie and Fairy Meadow differ by $295 a year by car, but $250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $45, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Fairy Meadow carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,367 from Balgownie versus $7,617 from Fairy Meadow.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,819 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Balgownie by $45 a year, $4,170 against $4,215.
- Building insurance favours Balgownie by $250 a year, $1,600 against $1,850.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Fairy Meadow against medium in Balgownie, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Balgownie against low in Fairy Meadow, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.9 in Balgownie against 6.1 in Fairy Meadow, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Balgownie cumulative | Fairy Meadow cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,137 | $9,432 | $295 |
| Year 3 | $28,242 | $29,153 | $911 |
| Year 5 | $48,510 | $50,076 | $1,566 |
| Year 10 | $104,745 | $108,127 | $3,382 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Balgownie or Fairy Meadow cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Balgownie runs $9,137 a year by car and Fairy Meadow $9,432, but most of the $295 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $45. 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 $4,170 from Balgownie and $4,215 from Fairy Meadow to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $104,745 and Fairy Meadow costs $108,127 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,382 in favour of Balgownie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Balgownie and Fairy Meadow suits you better?
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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.