Bolong vs Far Meadow: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bolong and Far Meadow are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Far Meadow runs $11,477 a year cheaper than Bolong, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $131,571.
Over 10 years, Far Meadow costs about $131,600 less to run than Bolong — the same as paying $131,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Far Meadow
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bolong | Far Meadow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $6,723 | +$11,477 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $24,147 | $12,670 | +$11,477 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,347 | $8,347 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bolong | Far Meadow | 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 — Bolong vs Far Meadow (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Far Meadow costs $11,477 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $131,571 in favour of Far Meadow.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $11,477 per year. Bolong is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD, so its driving figure is a flat regional allowance of about 20,000 km of household driving a year rather than a commute.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,347 and $8,347 a year, so the $11,477 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Far Meadow by $11,477 a year, $6,723 against $18,200.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,100 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 7.7 in Far Meadow against 6.2 in Bolong, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bolong cumulative | Far Meadow cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $24,147 | $12,670 | $11,477 |
| Year 3 | $74,636 | $39,162 | $35,474 |
| Year 5 | $128,200 | $67,267 | $60,933 |
| Year 10 | $276,818 | $145,247 | $131,571 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bolong or Far Meadow cheaper to live in?
Far Meadow is cheaper to run by car at $12,670 per year versus $24,147 for Bolong, a difference of $11,477 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bolong and Far Meadow?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Bolong (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Far Meadow (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bolong and $1,300 in Far Meadow. 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 Bolong and Far Meadow?
Bolong carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Far Meadow is $6,723 a year to drive to Wollongong CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bolong and $2,400 from Far Meadow.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bolong and Far Meadow?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bolong costs a cumulative $276,818 and Far Meadow costs $145,247 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $131,571 in favour of Far Meadow. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bolong and Far Meadow 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.