Broughton Vale vs Broughton Village: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Broughton Vale (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and Broughton Village (Kiama rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Wollongong CBD (39 km and 37.5 km).
The two sit within $188 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 these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Broughton Vale
Broughton Village
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Broughton Vale | Broughton Village | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,959 | -$412 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,548 | -$248 |
| Commute (driving) | $6,984 | $6,962 | +$22 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,000 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,281 | $12,469 | -$188 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,697 | $7,907 | -$210 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Broughton Vale | Broughton Village | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,442 | +$278 |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,001 | +$208 |
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 — Broughton Vale vs Broughton Village (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Broughton Vale and Broughton Village cost within $188 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,155, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Broughton Vale carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $210 per year, $7,697 from Broughton Vale versus $7,907 from Broughton Village.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Broughton Vale by $412 a year, $1,547 against $1,959.
- Water and sewerage favours Broughton Vale by $248 a year, $1,300 against $1,548.
- Driving commute favours Broughton Village by $22 a year, $6,962 against $6,984.
- Building insurance favours Broughton Village by $450 a year, $2,000 against $2,450.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Flood risk is rated medium in Broughton Vale against low in Broughton Village, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Broughton Vale cumulative | Broughton Village cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,281 | $12,469 | $188 |
| Year 3 | $37,959 | $38,540 | $581 |
| Year 5 | $65,201 | $66,200 | $999 |
| Year 10 | $140,788 | $142,943 | $2,155 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Broughton Vale or Broughton Village cheaper to live in?
Broughton Vale is cheaper to run by car at $12,281 per year versus $12,469 for Broughton Village, a difference of $188 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Broughton Vale and Broughton Village?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Broughton Vale (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,959 in Broughton Village (Kiama rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Broughton Vale and $1,548 in Broughton Village. 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 Broughton Vale and Broughton Village?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,984 from Broughton Vale and $6,962 from Broughton Village to Wollongong CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Broughton Vale and $2,400 from Broughton Village.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Broughton Vale and Broughton Village?
At 3% annual cost growth, Broughton Vale costs a cumulative $140,788 and Broughton Village costs $142,943 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,155 in favour of Broughton Vale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Broughton Vale and Broughton Village 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: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Kiama rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.