Boorooma vs Cartwrights Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Boorooma and Cartwrights Hill are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 376.7 km and 374.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Boorooma runs $950 a year cheaper than Cartwrights Hill, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,891.
Over 10 years, Boorooma costs about $10,900 less to run than Cartwrights Hill — the same as paying $10,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Boorooma
Cartwrights Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Boorooma | Cartwrights Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $3,100 | -$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,344 | $23,294 | -$950 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,144 | $8,094 | -$950 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Boorooma | Cartwrights Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,453 | $2,453 | - |
| Unit | $1,944 | $1,944 | - |
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 — Boorooma vs Cartwrights Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Boorooma costs $950 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,891 in favour of Boorooma.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. Cartwrights Hill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $950 per year, $7,144 from Boorooma versus $8,094 from Cartwrights Hill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Boorooma cumulative | Cartwrights Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,344 | $23,294 | $950 |
| Year 3 | $69,063 | $71,999 | $2,936 |
| Year 5 | $118,627 | $123,671 | $5,044 |
| Year 10 | $256,149 | $267,040 | $10,891 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boorooma or Cartwrights Hill cheaper to live in?
Boorooma is cheaper to run by car at $22,344 per year versus $23,294 for Cartwrights Hill, a difference of $950 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Boorooma and Cartwrights Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Boorooma (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Cartwrights Hill (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Boorooma 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 Boorooma and Cartwrights Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Boorooma and $17,600 from Cartwrights Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Boorooma and $2,400 from Cartwrights Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Boorooma and Cartwrights Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Boorooma costs a cumulative $256,149 and Cartwrights Hill costs $267,040 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,891 in favour of Boorooma. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Boorooma and Cartwrights Hill 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.