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.
Berry Mountain runs $441 a year cheaper than Bundewallah, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,056.
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 →Berry Mountain
Bundewallah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Berry Mountain | Bundewallah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,932 | $6,973 | -$41 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,779 | $12,220 | -$441 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,247 | $7,647 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 costs $441 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,056 in favour of Berry Mountain.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,247 from Berry Mountain versus $7,647 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 $400 a year, $2,000 against $2,400.
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 | $11,779 | $12,220 | $441 |
| Year 3 | $36,408 | $37,771 | $1,363 |
| Year 5 | $62,536 | $64,878 | $2,342 |
| Year 10 | $135,033 | $140,089 | $5,056 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Berry Mountain or Bundewallah cheaper to live in?
Berry Mountain is cheaper to run by car at $11,779 per year versus $12,220 for Bundewallah, a difference of $441 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. 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). Public transport costs $2,400 from Berry Mountain and $2,400 from Bundewallah.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Berry Mountain and Bundewallah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Berry Mountain costs a cumulative $135,033 and Bundewallah costs $140,089 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,056 in favour of Berry Mountain. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Berry Mountain and Bundewallah 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.