Bomaderry vs North Nowra: 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 North Nowra are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bomaderry runs $300 a year cheaper than North Nowra, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Bomaderry
North Nowra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bomaderry | North Nowra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,847 | $24,147 | -$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,047 | $8,347 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bomaderry | North Nowra | 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 North Nowra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bomaderry costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Bomaderry.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. North Nowra carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,047 from Bomaderry versus $8,347 from North Nowra.
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 $300 a year, $2,800 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 the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in North Nowra against low in Bomaderry, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bomaderry cumulative | North Nowra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,847 | $24,147 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $73,709 | $74,636 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $126,607 | $128,200 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $273,379 | $276,818 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bomaderry or North Nowra cheaper to live in?
Bomaderry is cheaper to run by car at $23,847 per year versus $24,147 for North Nowra, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bomaderry and North Nowra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Bomaderry (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in North Nowra (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bomaderry and $1,300 in North Nowra. 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 North Nowra?
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. North Nowra 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. Public transport costs $2,400 from Bomaderry and $2,400 from North Nowra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bomaderry and North Nowra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bomaderry costs a cumulative $273,379 and North Nowra costs $276,818 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Bomaderry. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bomaderry and North Nowra 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.