Beaumont vs Bellawongarah: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Beaumont and Bellawongarah are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 49.6 km and 44.9 km from Wollongong CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $102 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. 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 →Beaumont
Bellawongarah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Beaumont | Bellawongarah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,586 | $6,884 | -$298 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,833 | $11,731 | +$102 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,647 | $7,247 | +$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 | Beaumont | Bellawongarah | 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 — Beaumont vs Bellawongarah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Beaumont and Bellawongarah cost within $102 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,169, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,647 from Beaumont versus $7,247 from Bellawongarah.
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 Beaumont by $298 a year, $6,586 against $6,884.
- Building insurance favours Bellawongarah 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 Beaumont against medium in Bellawongarah, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.7 in Bellawongarah against 6.7 in Beaumont, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Beaumont cumulative | Bellawongarah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,833 | $11,731 | $102 |
| Year 3 | $36,575 | $36,259 | $316 |
| Year 5 | $62,823 | $62,281 | $542 |
| Year 10 | $135,652 | $134,483 | $1,169 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beaumont or Bellawongarah cheaper to live in?
Bellawongarah is cheaper to run by car at $11,731 per year versus $11,833 for Beaumont, a difference of $102 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Beaumont and Bellawongarah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Beaumont (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Bellawongarah (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Beaumont and $1,300 in Bellawongarah. 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 Beaumont and Bellawongarah?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,586 from Beaumont and $6,884 from Bellawongarah to Wollongong CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Beaumont and $2,400 from Bellawongarah.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Beaumont and Bellawongarah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Beaumont costs a cumulative $135,652 and Bellawongarah costs $134,483 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,169 in favour of Bellawongarah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Beaumont and Bellawongarah 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.