Black Range vs Frogs Hollow: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Black Range and Frogs Hollow are both Bega Valley rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 341.1 km and 345.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Frogs Hollow runs $400 a year cheaper than Black Range, 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 →Black Range
Frogs Hollow
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Black Range | Frogs Hollow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,829 | $1,829 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,129 | $22,729 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,929 | $7,529 | +$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 | Black Range | Frogs Hollow | 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 — Black Range vs Frogs Hollow (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Frogs Hollow 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 Frogs Hollow.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,929 from Black Range versus $7,529 from Frogs Hollow.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Black Range cumulative | Frogs Hollow cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,129 | $22,729 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $71,489 | $70,253 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $122,795 | $120,671 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $265,148 | $260,563 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Black Range or Frogs Hollow cheaper to live in?
Frogs Hollow is cheaper to run by car at $22,729 per year versus $23,129 for Black Range, 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 Black Range and Frogs Hollow?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,829 in Black Range (Bega Valley rates (OLG) and $1,829 in Frogs Hollow (Bega Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Black Range and $1,300 in Frogs Hollow. 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 Black Range and Frogs Hollow?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Black Range and $17,600 from Frogs Hollow to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Black Range and $2,400 from Frogs Hollow.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Black Range and Frogs Hollow?
At 3% annual cost growth, Black Range costs a cumulative $265,148 and Frogs Hollow costs $260,563 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Frogs Hollow. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Black Range and Frogs Hollow 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: Bega Valley rates (OLG and Bega Valley 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.