Bomaderry vs Meroo 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
Bomaderry and Meroo Meadow are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $200 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,300, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Meroo Meadow
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bomaderry | Meroo Meadow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,800 | $2,000 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,847 | $23,047 | -$200 |
| Total (public transport) | $22,847 | $23,047 | -$200 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bomaderry | Meroo 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, Bomaderry vs Meroo Meadow (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bomaderry and Meroo Meadow differ by $200 a year by car, but $200 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $0, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year. Meroo Meadow carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $22,847 from Bomaderry versus $23,047 from Meroo Meadow.
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 is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Bomaderry by $200 a year, $1,800 against $2,000.
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 the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Meroo Meadow against low in Bomaderry, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bomaderry cumulative | Meroo Meadow cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,847 | $23,047 | $200 |
| Year 3 | $70,618 | $71,236 | $618 |
| Year 5 | $121,298 | $122,360 | $1,062 |
| Year 10 | $261,915 | $264,208 | $2,293 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bomaderry or Meroo Meadow cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Bomaderry runs $22,847 a year by car and Meroo Meadow $23,047, but most of the $200 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $0. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bomaderry and Meroo Meadow?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Bomaderry (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Meroo Meadow (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bomaderry and $1,300 in Meroo 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 Bomaderry and Meroo Meadow?
Bomaderry 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. Meroo Meadow 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. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bomaderry and Meroo Meadow?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bomaderry costs a cumulative $261,915 and Meroo Meadow costs $264,208 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,293 in favour of Bomaderry. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bomaderry and Meroo Meadow suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.