Boorooma vs Charles Sturt University: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Boorooma and Charles Sturt University are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 4.2 km and 5.1 km from Wagga Wagga CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $128 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 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 →Boorooma
Charles Sturt University
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Boorooma | Charles Sturt University | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,391 | $1,669 | -$278 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,000 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,135 | $6,263 | -$128 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,144 | $6,994 | +$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Boorooma | Charles Sturt University | 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 — Boorooma vs Charles Sturt University (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Boorooma and Charles Sturt University cost within $128 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,467, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $278 per year. Charles Sturt University is 5.1 km from Wagga Wagga CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,144 and $6,994 a year, so the $128 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Boorooma by $278 a year, $1,391 against $1,669.
- Building insurance favours Charles Sturt University by $150 a year, $2,000 against $2,150.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Boorooma against low in Charles Sturt University, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Charles Sturt University against low in Boorooma, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Boorooma cumulative | Charles Sturt University cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,135 | $6,263 | $128 |
| Year 3 | $18,963 | $19,358 | $395 |
| Year 5 | $32,572 | $33,251 | $679 |
| Year 10 | $70,331 | $71,798 | $1,467 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boorooma or Charles Sturt University cheaper to live in?
Boorooma is cheaper to run by car at $6,135 per year versus $6,263 for Charles Sturt University, a difference of $128 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Boorooma and Charles Sturt University?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Boorooma (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Charles Sturt University (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Boorooma and $1,300 in Charles Sturt University. 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 Charles Sturt University?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,391 from Boorooma and $1,669 from Charles Sturt University to Wagga Wagga CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Boorooma and $2,400 from Charles Sturt University.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Boorooma and Charles Sturt University?
At 3% annual cost growth, Boorooma costs a cumulative $70,331 and Charles Sturt University costs $71,798 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,467 in favour of Boorooma. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Boorooma and Charles Sturt University 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.
Related comparisons
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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.