Beaumont vs Bellawongarah: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Beaumont and Bellawongarah are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 117.6 km and 113.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bellawongarah runs $400 a year cheaper than Beaumont, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,847 | $22,447 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,647 | $7,247 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Beaumont | Bellawongarah | 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 — Beaumont vs Bellawongarah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bellawongarah costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Bellawongarah.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Beaumont cumulative | Bellawongarah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,847 | $22,447 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $70,618 | $69,381 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $121,298 | $119,174 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $261,915 | $257,330 | $4,585 |
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 $22,447 per year versus $22,847 for Beaumont, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $17,600 from Beaumont and $17,600 from Bellawongarah to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $261,915 and Bellawongarah costs $257,330 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.