Bellawongarah vs Berry Mountain: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bellawongarah and Berry Mountain are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 113.2 km and 112.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Bellawongarah
Berry Mountain
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bellawongarah | Berry Mountain | 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 | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,447 | $22,447 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,247 | $7,247 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bellawongarah | Berry Mountain | 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 — Bellawongarah vs Berry Mountain (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bellawongarah and Berry Mountain cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,247 and $7,247 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bellawongarah cumulative | Berry Mountain cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,447 | $22,447 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $69,381 | $69,381 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $119,174 | $119,174 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $257,330 | $257,330 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bellawongarah or Berry Mountain cheaper to live in?
Bellawongarah is cheaper to run by car at $22,447 per year versus $22,447 for Berry Mountain, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bellawongarah and Berry Mountain?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Bellawongarah (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Berry Mountain (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bellawongarah and $1,300 in Berry Mountain. 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 Bellawongarah and Berry Mountain?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Bellawongarah and $17,600 from Berry Mountain to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bellawongarah and $2,400 from Berry Mountain.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bellawongarah and Berry Mountain?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bellawongarah costs a cumulative $257,330 and Berry Mountain costs $257,330 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Bellawongarah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bellawongarah and Berry Mountain 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.
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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.