Bewong vs Wandandian: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bewong and Wandandian are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 148.5 km and 149.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wandandian runs $650 a year cheaper than Bewong, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,452.
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 →Bewong
Wandandian
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bewong | Wandandian | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $2,850 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,947 | $23,297 | +$650 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,747 | $8,097 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bewong | Wandandian | 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 — Bewong vs Wandandian (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wandandian costs $650 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,452 in favour of Wandandian.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Bewong carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $8,747 from Bewong versus $8,097 from Wandandian.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bewong cumulative | Wandandian cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,947 | $23,297 | $650 |
| Year 3 | $74,018 | $72,009 | $2,009 |
| Year 5 | $127,138 | $123,687 | $3,451 |
| Year 10 | $274,526 | $267,074 | $7,452 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bewong or Wandandian cheaper to live in?
Wandandian is cheaper to run by car at $23,297 per year versus $23,947 for Bewong, a difference of $650 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bewong and Wandandian?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Bewong (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Wandandian (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bewong and $1,300 in Wandandian. 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 Bewong and Wandandian?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Bewong and $17,600 from Wandandian to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bewong and $2,400 from Wandandian.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bewong and Wandandian?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bewong costs a cumulative $274,526 and Wandandian costs $267,074 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,452 in favour of Wandandian. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bewong and Wandandian 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.