Boorooma vs Estella, 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 Estella are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 4.2 km and 3.7 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 $158 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, Estella costs about $1,800 less to run than Boorooma. That's about $3 a week.
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
Estella
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Boorooma | Estella | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,391 | $1,233 | +$158 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,391 | $1,233 | +$158 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $1,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,935 | $5,777 | +$158 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,935 | $5,777 | +$158 |
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 | Estella | 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 Estella (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Boorooma and Estella cost within $158 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,811, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $158 per year. Boorooma is 4.2 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 $5,777 a year, so the $158 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 Estella by $158 a year, $1,233 against $1,391.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,950 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 | Boorooma cumulative | Estella cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,935 | $5,777 | $158 |
| Year 3 | $18,344 | $17,856 | $488 |
| Year 5 | $31,510 | $30,671 | $839 |
| Year 10 | $68,038 | $66,227 | $1,811 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boorooma or Estella cheaper to live in?
Estella is cheaper to run by car at $5,777 per year versus $5,935 for Boorooma, a difference of $158 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Boorooma and Estella?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Boorooma (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Estella (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Boorooma and $1,300 in Estella. 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 Estella?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,391 from Boorooma and $1,233 from Estella 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 Estella?
At 3% annual cost growth, Boorooma costs a cumulative $68,038 and Estella costs $66,227 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,811 in favour of Estella. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Boorooma and Estella 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.