Bourkelands vs Springvale, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bourkelands and Springvale are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 5.4 km and 7.2 km from Wagga Wagga CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bourkelands runs $530 a year cheaper than Springvale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,076.
Over 10 years, Bourkelands costs about $6,100 less to run than Springvale. That's about $12 a week.
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Springvale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bourkelands | Springvale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,760 | $2,290 | -$530 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,760 | $2,290 | -$530 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,904 | $6,434 | -$530 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,904 | $6,434 | -$530 |
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 | Bourkelands | Springvale | 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, Bourkelands vs Springvale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bourkelands costs $530 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,076 in favour of Bourkelands.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $530 per year. Springvale is 7.2 km from Wagga Wagga CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $530 per year, $5,904 from Bourkelands versus $6,434 from Springvale.
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 Bourkelands by $530 a year, $1,760 against $2,290.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,550 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 | Bourkelands cumulative | Springvale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,904 | $6,434 | $530 |
| Year 3 | $18,249 | $19,887 | $1,638 |
| Year 5 | $31,345 | $34,159 | $2,814 |
| Year 10 | $67,683 | $73,759 | $6,076 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bourkelands or Springvale cheaper to live in?
Bourkelands is cheaper to run by car at $5,904 per year versus $6,434 for Springvale, a difference of $530 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bourkelands and Springvale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Bourkelands (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Springvale (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bourkelands and $1,300 in Springvale. 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 Bourkelands and Springvale?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,760 from Bourkelands and $2,290 from Springvale 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 Bourkelands and Springvale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bourkelands costs a cumulative $67,683 and Springvale costs $73,759 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,076 in favour of Bourkelands. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bourkelands and Springvale 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.