Bendalong vs Berringer Lake: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bendalong and Berringer Lake are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 164.8 km and 166.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bendalong runs $450 a year cheaper than Berringer Lake, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,159.
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 →Bendalong
Berringer Lake
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bendalong | Berringer Lake | 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 | $2,850 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,847 | $23,297 | -$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,647 | $8,097 | -$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bendalong | Berringer Lake | 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 — Bendalong vs Berringer Lake (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bendalong costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,159 in favour of Bendalong.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Berringer Lake carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,647 from Bendalong versus $8,097 from Berringer Lake.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bendalong cumulative | Berringer Lake cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,847 | $23,297 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $70,618 | $72,009 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $121,298 | $123,687 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $261,915 | $267,074 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bendalong or Berringer Lake cheaper to live in?
Bendalong is cheaper to run by car at $22,847 per year versus $23,297 for Berringer Lake, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bendalong and Berringer Lake?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Bendalong (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Berringer Lake (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bendalong and $1,300 in Berringer Lake. 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 Bendalong and Berringer Lake?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Bendalong and $17,600 from Berringer Lake to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bendalong and $2,400 from Berringer Lake.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bendalong and Berringer Lake?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bendalong costs a cumulative $261,915 and Berringer Lake costs $267,074 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of Bendalong. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bendalong and Berringer Lake 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.