Berkeley vs Brownsville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Berkeley and Brownsville are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 77.1 km and 77.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Berkeley runs $304 a year cheaper than Brownsville, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,485.
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 →Berkeley
Brownsville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Berkeley | Brownsville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,257 | $3,261 | -$4 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,424 | $9,728 | -$304 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,567 | $8,867 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Berkeley | Brownsville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Berkeley vs Brownsville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Berkeley costs $304 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,485 in favour of Berkeley.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Brownsville carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,567 from Berkeley versus $8,867 from Brownsville.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Berkeley cumulative | Brownsville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,424 | $9,728 | $304 |
| Year 3 | $29,129 | $30,068 | $939 |
| Year 5 | $50,033 | $51,647 | $1,614 |
| Year 10 | $108,036 | $111,521 | $3,485 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Berkeley or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Berkeley is cheaper to run by car at $9,424 per year versus $9,728 for Brownsville, a difference of $304 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Berkeley and Brownsville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Berkeley (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Brownsville (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Berkeley and $1,548 in Brownsville. 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 Berkeley and Brownsville?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,257 from Berkeley and $3,261 from Brownsville to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Berkeley and $2,400 from Brownsville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Berkeley and Brownsville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Berkeley costs a cumulative $108,036 and Brownsville costs $111,521 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,485 in favour of Berkeley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Berkeley and Brownsville 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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.