Barren Grounds vs Brogers Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Barren Grounds (Kiama rates (OLG) and Brogers Creek (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Wollongong CBD (32.4 km and 35.4 km).
Brogers Creek runs $501 a year cheaper than Barren Grounds, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,743.
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 →Barren Grounds
Brogers Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barren Grounds | Brogers Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,959 | $1,547 | +$412 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,300 | +$248 |
| Commute (driving) | $6,737 | $6,896 | -$159 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,644 | $12,143 | +$501 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,307 | $7,647 | +$660 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Barren Grounds | Brogers Creek | 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 — Barren Grounds vs Brogers Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Brogers Creek costs $501 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,743 in favour of Brogers Creek.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $412 per year.
On public transport the gap is $660 per year, $8,307 from Barren Grounds versus $7,647 from Brogers Creek.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Brogers Creek by $412 a year, $1,547 against $1,959.
- Water and sewerage favours Brogers Creek by $248 a year, $1,300 against $1,548.
- Driving commute favours Barren Grounds by $159 a year, $6,737 against $6,896.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,400 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barren Grounds cumulative | Brogers Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,644 | $12,143 | $501 |
| Year 3 | $39,081 | $37,533 | $1,548 |
| Year 5 | $67,129 | $64,469 | $2,660 |
| Year 10 | $144,949 | $139,206 | $5,743 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barren Grounds or Brogers Creek cheaper to live in?
Brogers Creek is cheaper to run by car at $12,143 per year versus $12,644 for Barren Grounds, a difference of $501 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Barren Grounds and Brogers Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,959 in Barren Grounds (Kiama rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Brogers Creek (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Barren Grounds and $1,300 in Brogers Creek. 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 Barren Grounds and Brogers Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,737 from Barren Grounds and $6,896 from Brogers Creek to Wollongong CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Barren Grounds and $2,400 from Brogers Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Barren Grounds and Brogers Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Barren Grounds costs a cumulative $144,949 and Brogers Creek costs $139,206 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,743 in favour of Brogers Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barren Grounds and Brogers Creek 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: Kiama rates (OLG and Shoalhaven 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.