Berry vs Broughton: 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 and Broughton are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 43.7 km and 40 km from Wollongong CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Broughton runs $590 a year cheaper than Berry, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,764.
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
Broughton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Berry | Broughton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,929 | $6,989 | -$60 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,450 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,876 | $12,286 | +$590 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,347 | $7,697 | +$650 |
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 | Broughton | 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 vs Broughton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Broughton costs $590 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,764 in favour of Broughton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Berry carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $8,347 from Berry versus $7,697 from Broughton.
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 by $60 a year, $6,929 against $6,989.
- Building insurance favours Broughton by $650 a year, $2,450 against $3,100.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Berry against medium in Broughton, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Berry cumulative | Broughton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,876 | $12,286 | $590 |
| Year 3 | $39,798 | $37,975 | $1,823 |
| Year 5 | $68,360 | $65,228 | $3,132 |
| Year 10 | $147,609 | $140,845 | $6,764 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Berry or Broughton cheaper to live in?
Broughton is cheaper to run by car at $12,286 per year versus $12,876 for Berry, a difference of $590 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Berry and Broughton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Berry (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Broughton (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Berry and $1,300 in Broughton. 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 and Broughton?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,929 from Berry and $6,989 from Broughton to Wollongong CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Berry and $2,400 from Broughton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Berry and Broughton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Berry costs a cumulative $147,609 and Broughton costs $140,845 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,764 in favour of Broughton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Berry and Broughton 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: 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.