Berrima vs Medway: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Berrima and Medway are both Wingecarribee rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 106.4 km and 109.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Berrima runs $400 a year cheaper than Medway, 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 →Berrima
Medway
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Berrima | Medway | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,140 | $2,140 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,040 | $23,440 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,840 | $8,240 | -$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 | Berrima | Medway | 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 — Berrima vs Medway (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Berrima 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 Berrima.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,840 from Berrima versus $8,240 from Medway.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Berrima cumulative | Medway cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,040 | $23,440 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $71,214 | $72,451 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $122,322 | $124,446 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $264,128 | $268,713 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Berrima or Medway cheaper to live in?
Berrima is cheaper to run by car at $23,040 per year versus $23,440 for Medway, 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 Berrima and Medway?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,140 in Berrima (Wingecarribee rates (OLG) and $2,140 in Medway (Wingecarribee rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Berrima and $1,300 in Medway. 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 Berrima and Medway?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Berrima and $17,600 from Medway to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Berrima and $2,400 from Medway.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Berrima and Medway?
At 3% annual cost growth, Berrima costs a cumulative $264,128 and Medway costs $268,713 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Berrima. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Berrima and Medway 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: Wingecarribee rates (OLG and Wingecarribee 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.