Barrengarry vs Upper Kangaroo River: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Barrengarry and Upper Kangaroo River are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 43 km and 40 km from Wollongong CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Barrengarry runs $440 a year cheaper than Upper Kangaroo River, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,044.
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 →Barrengarry
Upper Kangaroo River
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barrengarry | Upper Kangaroo River | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,949 | $6,989 | -$40 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,796 | $12,236 | -$440 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,247 | $7,647 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Barrengarry | Upper Kangaroo River | 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 — Barrengarry vs Upper Kangaroo River (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Barrengarry costs $440 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,044 in favour of Barrengarry.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,247 from Barrengarry versus $7,647 from Upper Kangaroo River.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,547 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Barrengarry by $40 a year, $6,949 against $6,989.
- Building insurance favours Barrengarry by $400 a year, $2,000 against $2,400.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Upper Kangaroo River against medium in Barrengarry, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barrengarry cumulative | Upper Kangaroo River cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,796 | $12,236 | $440 |
| Year 3 | $36,460 | $37,820 | $1,360 |
| Year 5 | $62,627 | $64,963 | $2,336 |
| Year 10 | $135,228 | $140,272 | $5,044 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barrengarry or Upper Kangaroo River cheaper to live in?
Barrengarry is cheaper to run by car at $11,796 per year versus $12,236 for Upper Kangaroo River, a difference of $440 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Barrengarry and Upper Kangaroo River?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Barrengarry (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Upper Kangaroo River (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Barrengarry and $1,300 in Upper Kangaroo River. 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 Barrengarry and Upper Kangaroo River?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,949 from Barrengarry and $6,989 from Upper Kangaroo River to Wollongong CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Barrengarry and $2,400 from Upper Kangaroo River.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Barrengarry and Upper Kangaroo River?
At 3% annual cost growth, Barrengarry costs a cumulative $135,228 and Upper Kangaroo River costs $140,272 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,044 in favour of Barrengarry. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barrengarry and Upper Kangaroo River 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: Shoalhaven 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.