Balgownie vs Fernhill: 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 Fernhill are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 65.4 km and 64.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $89 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 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
Fernhill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Balgownie | Fernhill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,033 | $4,244 | -$211 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,150 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,850 | $9,761 | +$89 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,217 | $7,917 | +$300 |
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 | Fernhill | 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 Fernhill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Balgownie and Fernhill cost within $89 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,020, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Balgownie carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,217 from Balgownie versus $7,917 from Fernhill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Balgownie cumulative | Fernhill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,850 | $9,761 | $89 |
| Year 3 | $30,445 | $30,170 | $275 |
| Year 5 | $52,295 | $51,822 | $473 |
| Year 10 | $112,919 | $111,899 | $1,020 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Balgownie or Fernhill cheaper to live in?
Fernhill is cheaper to run by car at $9,761 per year versus $9,850 for Balgownie, a difference of $89 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Balgownie and Fernhill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Balgownie (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Fernhill (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Balgownie and $1,548 in Fernhill. 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 Fernhill?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,033 from Balgownie and $4,244 from Fernhill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Balgownie and $2,400 from Fernhill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Balgownie and Fernhill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Balgownie costs a cumulative $112,919 and Fernhill costs $111,899 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,020 in favour of Fernhill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Balgownie and Fernhill 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.