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 $178 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 $2,000, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Boorooma
Charles Sturt University
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Boorooma | Charles Sturt University | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,391 | $1,669 | -$278 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,391 | $1,669 | -$278 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $1,850 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,935 | $6,113 | -$178 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,935 | $6,113 | -$178 |
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 | 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 differ by $178 a year by car, but $100 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 $278, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
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, $5,935 and $6,113 a year, so the $178 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 $100 a year, $1,850 against $1,950.
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 | $5,935 | $6,113 | $178 |
| Year 3 | $18,344 | $18,895 | $551 |
| Year 5 | $31,510 | $32,455 | $945 |
| Year 10 | $68,038 | $70,079 | $2,041 |
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?
Neither is named cheaper. Boorooma runs $5,935 a year by car and Charles Sturt University $6,113, but most of the $178 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $278. 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). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Boorooma and Charles Sturt University?
At 3% annual cost growth, Boorooma costs a cumulative $68,038 and Charles Sturt University costs $70,079 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,041 in favour of Boorooma. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Boorooma and Charles Sturt University suits you better?
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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.