Barren Grounds vs Foxground: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Barren Grounds and Foxground are both Kiama rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 101.1 km and 101.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Barren Grounds
Foxground
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barren Grounds | Foxground | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,959 | $1,959 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,507 | $23,507 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,307 | $8,307 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Barren Grounds | Foxground | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,148 | +$272 |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,716 | +$204 |
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 — Barren Grounds vs Foxground (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Barren Grounds and Foxground cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,307 and $8,307 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barren Grounds cumulative | Foxground cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,507 | $23,507 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,658 | $72,658 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $124,802 | $124,802 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $269,481 | $269,481 | $0 |
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 $23,507 per year versus $23,507 for Foxground, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $17,600 from Barren Grounds and $17,600 from Foxground to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $269,481 and Foxground costs $269,481 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Barren Grounds. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barren Grounds and Foxground 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 Kiama 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.