Bomen vs Cartwrights Hill, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bomen and Cartwrights Hill are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 9.2 km and 4.9 km from Wagga Wagga CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cartwrights Hill runs $1,238 a year cheaper than Bomen, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,192.
Over 10 years, Cartwrights Hill costs about $14,200 less to run than Bomen. That's about $27 a week.
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Cartwrights Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bomen | Cartwrights Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,845 | $1,607 | +$1,238 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,845 | $1,607 | +$1,238 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,850 | $2,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,289 | $7,051 | +$1,238 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,289 | $7,051 | +$1,238 |
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 | Bomen | Cartwrights Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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, Bomen vs Cartwrights Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cartwrights Hill costs $1,238 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,192 in favour of Cartwrights Hill.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,238 per year. Bomen is 9.2 km from Wagga Wagga CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $1,238 per year, $8,289 from Bomen versus $7,051 from Cartwrights Hill.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,294 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cartwrights Hill by $1,238 a year, $1,607 against $2,845.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,850 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bomen cumulative | Cartwrights Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,289 | $7,051 | $1,238 |
| Year 3 | $25,620 | $21,794 | $3,826 |
| Year 5 | $44,007 | $37,435 | $6,572 |
| Year 10 | $95,024 | $80,832 | $14,192 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bomen or Cartwrights Hill cheaper to live in?
Cartwrights Hill is cheaper to run by car at $7,051 per year versus $8,289 for Bomen, a difference of $1,238 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bomen and Cartwrights Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Bomen (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Cartwrights Hill (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bomen and $1,300 in Cartwrights Hill. 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 Bomen and Cartwrights Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,845 from Bomen and $1,607 from Cartwrights Hill to Wagga Wagga CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bomen and Cartwrights Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bomen costs a cumulative $95,024 and Cartwrights Hill costs $80,832 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,192 in favour of Cartwrights Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bomen and Cartwrights Hill suits you better?
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Sources: Wagga Wagga rates (OLG and Wagga Wagga 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.