Barrengarry vs Wildes Meadow: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Barrengarry (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and Wildes Meadow (Wingecarribee rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (109.4 km and 106.2 km).
Barrengarry runs $593 a year cheaper than Wildes Meadow, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,798.
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
Wildes Meadow
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barrengarry | Wildes Meadow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $2,140 | -$593 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,447 | $23,040 | -$593 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,247 | $7,840 | -$593 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Barrengarry | Wildes Meadow | 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 — Barrengarry vs Wildes Meadow (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Barrengarry costs $593 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,798 in favour of Barrengarry.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $593 per year.
On public transport the gap is $593 per year, $7,247 from Barrengarry versus $7,840 from Wildes Meadow.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barrengarry cumulative | Wildes Meadow cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,447 | $23,040 | $593 |
| Year 3 | $69,381 | $71,214 | $1,833 |
| Year 5 | $119,174 | $122,322 | $3,148 |
| Year 10 | $257,330 | $264,128 | $6,798 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barrengarry or Wildes Meadow cheaper to live in?
Barrengarry is cheaper to run by car at $22,447 per year versus $23,040 for Wildes Meadow, a difference of $593 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Barrengarry and Wildes Meadow?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Barrengarry (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $2,140 in Wildes Meadow (Wingecarribee rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Barrengarry and $1,300 in Wildes Meadow. 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 Wildes Meadow?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Barrengarry and $17,600 from Wildes Meadow to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Barrengarry and $2,400 from Wildes Meadow.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Barrengarry and Wildes Meadow?
At 3% annual cost growth, Barrengarry costs a cumulative $257,330 and Wildes Meadow costs $264,128 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,798 in favour of Barrengarry. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barrengarry and Wildes Meadow 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 Wingecarribee 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.