Barrengarry vs Wildes Meadow, 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 (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and Wildes Meadow (Wingecarribee rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Wollongong CBD (43 km and 41.2 km).
Barrengarry runs $877 a year cheaper than Wildes Meadow, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,054.
Over 10 years, Barrengarry costs about $10,100 less to run than Wildes Meadow. That's about $19 a week.
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Wildes Meadow
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barrengarry | Wildes Meadow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,547 | $2,140 | -$593 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,949 | $6,983 | -$34 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,949 | $2,400 | +$4,549 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,300 | $1,550 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,096 | $11,973 | -$877 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,096 | $7,390 | +$3,706 |
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 | Barrengarry | Wildes Meadow | 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 Wildes Meadow (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Barrengarry costs $877 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,054 in favour of Barrengarry.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $593 per year.
On public transport the gap is $3,706 per year, $11,096 from Barrengarry versus $7,390 from Wildes Meadow.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Barrengarry by $593 a year, $1,547 against $2,140.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Barrengarry by $34 a year, $6,949 against $6,983.
- Building insurance favours Barrengarry by $250 a year, $1,300 against $1,550.
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 | Barrengarry cumulative | Wildes Meadow cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,096 | $11,973 | $877 |
| Year 3 | $34,297 | $37,007 | $2,710 |
| Year 5 | $58,910 | $63,566 | $4,656 |
| Year 10 | $127,203 | $137,257 | $10,054 |
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 $11,096 per year versus $11,973 for Wildes Meadow, a difference of $877 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $6,949 from Barrengarry and $6,983 from Wildes Meadow to Wollongong CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Wildes Meadow. No daily public transport commute is assumed from Barrengarry, so it is costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Barrengarry and Wildes Meadow?
At 3% annual cost growth, Barrengarry costs a cumulative $127,203 and Wildes Meadow costs $137,257 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,054 in favour of Barrengarry. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barrengarry and Wildes Meadow suits you better?
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Sources: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Wingecarribee 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.