Barren Grounds vs Foxground, 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 and Foxground are both Kiama rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 32.4 km and 33 km from Wollongong CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $38 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.
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Foxground
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barren Grounds | Foxground | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,959 | $1,959 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,737 | $6,775 | -$38 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,044 | $12,082 | -$38 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,707 | $7,707 | - |
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 | Barren Grounds | Foxground | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,442 | +$278 |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,001 | +$208 |
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 Foxground (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Barren Grounds and Foxground cost within $38 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $436, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $38 per year. Foxground is 33 km from Wollongong CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,707 and $7,707 a year, so the $38 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,959 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Barren Grounds by $38 a year, $6,737 against $6,775.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,800 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barren Grounds cumulative | Foxground cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,044 | $12,082 | $38 |
| Year 3 | $37,227 | $37,344 | $117 |
| Year 5 | $63,943 | $64,145 | $202 |
| Year 10 | $138,071 | $138,507 | $436 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barren Grounds or Foxground cheaper to live in?
Barren Grounds is cheaper to run by car at $12,044 per year versus $12,082 for Foxground, a difference of $38 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 Foxground?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,959 in Barren Grounds (Kiama rates (OLG) and $1,959 in Foxground (Kiama rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Barren Grounds and $1,548 in Foxground. 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 Foxground?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,737 from Barren Grounds and $6,775 from Foxground to Wollongong CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Barren Grounds and $2,400 from Foxground.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Barren Grounds and Foxground?
At 3% annual cost growth, Barren Grounds costs a cumulative $138,071 and Foxground costs $138,507 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $436 in favour of Barren Grounds. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barren Grounds and Foxground suits you better?
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Sources: Kiama rates (OLG and Kiama 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.