Bournda vs Wallagoot: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bournda and Wallagoot are both Bega Valley rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 347.2 km and 343.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bournda runs $1,100 a year cheaper than Wallagoot, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,610.
Over 10 years, Bournda costs about $12,600 less to run than Wallagoot — the same as paying $12,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Wallagoot
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bournda | Wallagoot | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,829 | $1,829 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $3,500 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,129 | $24,229 | -$1,100 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,929 | $9,029 | -$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bournda | Wallagoot | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Bournda vs Wallagoot (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bournda costs $1,100 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,610 in favour of Bournda.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Wallagoot carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $7,929 from Bournda versus $9,029 from Wallagoot.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bournda cumulative | Wallagoot cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,129 | $24,229 | $1,100 |
| Year 3 | $71,489 | $74,889 | $3,400 |
| Year 5 | $122,795 | $128,635 | $5,840 |
| Year 10 | $265,148 | $277,758 | $12,610 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bournda or Wallagoot cheaper to live in?
Bournda is cheaper to run by car at $23,129 per year versus $24,229 for Wallagoot, a difference of $1,100 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bournda and Wallagoot?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,829 in Bournda (Bega Valley rates (OLG) and $1,829 in Wallagoot (Bega Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bournda and $1,300 in Wallagoot. 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 Bournda and Wallagoot?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Bournda and $17,600 from Wallagoot to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bournda and $2,400 from Wallagoot.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bournda and Wallagoot?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bournda costs a cumulative $265,148 and Wallagoot costs $277,758 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,610 in favour of Bournda. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bournda and Wallagoot 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: Bega Valley rates (OLG and Bega Valley rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.