Berry Mountain vs Bundewallah, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Berry Mountain and Bundewallah are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 43.6 km and 41.9 km from Wollongong CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $291 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.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $3,300, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Bundewallah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Berry Mountain | Bundewallah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,932 | $6,973 | -$41 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,932 | $6,973 | -$41 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,300 | $1,550 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,079 | $11,370 | -$291 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,079 | $11,370 | -$291 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Berry Mountain | Bundewallah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Berry Mountain vs Bundewallah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Berry Mountain and Bundewallah differ by $291 a year by car, but $250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $41, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $291 per year, $11,079 from Berry Mountain versus $11,370 from Bundewallah.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,547 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Berry Mountain by $41 a year, $6,932 against $6,973.
- Building insurance favours Berry Mountain by $250 a year, $1,300 against $1,550.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Bundewallah against medium in Berry Mountain, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Berry Mountain cumulative | Bundewallah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,079 | $11,370 | $291 |
| Year 3 | $34,244 | $35,144 | $900 |
| Year 5 | $58,820 | $60,365 | $1,545 |
| Year 10 | $127,008 | $130,344 | $3,336 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Berry Mountain or Bundewallah cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Berry Mountain runs $11,079 a year by car and Bundewallah $11,370, but most of the $291 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $41. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Berry Mountain and Bundewallah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Berry Mountain (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Bundewallah (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Berry Mountain and $1,300 in Bundewallah. 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 Berry Mountain and Bundewallah?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,932 from Berry Mountain and $6,973 from Bundewallah to Wollongong CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Berry Mountain and Bundewallah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Berry Mountain costs a cumulative $127,008 and Bundewallah costs $130,344 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,336 in favour of Berry Mountain. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Berry Mountain and Bundewallah suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.