Bourkelands vs Tolland, 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 Tolland are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 5.4 km and 4.2 km from Wagga Wagga CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tolland runs $369 a year cheaper than Bourkelands, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,230.
Over 10 years, Tolland costs about $4,200 less to run than Bourkelands. That's about $8 a week.
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Tolland
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bourkelands | Tolland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,760 | $1,391 | +$369 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,760 | $1,391 | +$369 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,904 | $5,535 | +$369 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,904 | $5,535 | +$369 |
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 | Tolland | 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 Tolland (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tolland costs $369 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,230 in favour of Tolland.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $369 per year. Bourkelands is 5.4 km from Wagga Wagga CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $369 per year, $5,904 from Bourkelands versus $5,535 from Tolland.
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 Tolland by $369 a year, $1,391 against $1,760.
- 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 | Tolland cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,904 | $5,535 | $369 |
| Year 3 | $18,249 | $17,108 | $1,141 |
| Year 5 | $31,345 | $29,386 | $1,959 |
| Year 10 | $67,683 | $63,453 | $4,230 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bourkelands or Tolland cheaper to live in?
Tolland is cheaper to run by car at $5,535 per year versus $5,904 for Bourkelands, a difference of $369 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bourkelands and Tolland?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Bourkelands (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Tolland (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bourkelands and $1,300 in Tolland. 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 Tolland?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,760 from Bourkelands and $1,391 from Tolland 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 Tolland?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bourkelands costs a cumulative $67,683 and Tolland costs $63,453 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,230 in favour of Tolland. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bourkelands and Tolland 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.