Balmoral Village vs Buxton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Balmoral Village (Wingecarribee rates (OLG) and Buxton (Wollondilly rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (78.8 km and 75.5 km).
The two sit within $163 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 →Balmoral Village
Buxton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Balmoral Village | Buxton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,140 | $2,195 | -$55 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,548 | -$248 |
| Commute (driving) | $3,329 | $3,189 | +$140 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,169 | $9,332 | -$163 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,240 | $8,543 | -$303 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Balmoral Village | Buxton | 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 — Balmoral Village vs Buxton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Balmoral Village and Buxton cost within $163 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,869, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is water and sewerage at $248 per year.
On public transport the gap is $303 per year, $8,240 from Balmoral Village versus $8,543 from Buxton.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Balmoral Village cumulative | Buxton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,169 | $9,332 | $163 |
| Year 3 | $28,340 | $28,844 | $504 |
| Year 5 | $48,679 | $49,545 | $866 |
| Year 10 | $105,112 | $106,981 | $1,869 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Balmoral Village or Buxton cheaper to live in?
Balmoral Village is cheaper to run by car at $9,169 per year versus $9,332 for Buxton, a difference of $163 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Balmoral Village and Buxton?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,140 in Balmoral Village (Wingecarribee rates (OLG) and $2,195 in Buxton (Wollondilly rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Balmoral Village and $1,548 in Buxton. 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 Balmoral Village and Buxton?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,329 from Balmoral Village and $3,189 from Buxton to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Balmoral Village and $2,400 from Buxton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Balmoral Village and Buxton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Balmoral Village costs a cumulative $105,112 and Buxton costs $106,981 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,869 in favour of Balmoral Village. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Balmoral Village and Buxton 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: Wingecarribee rates (OLG and Wollondilly 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.