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).
Broughton Vale runs $538 a year cheaper than Broughton Village, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,167.
Over 10 years, Broughton Vale costs about $6,200 less to run than Broughton Village. That's about $12 a week.
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Broughton Village
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Broughton Vale | Broughton Village | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,547 | $1,959 | -$412 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,548 | -$248 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,984 | $6,962 | +$22 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,984 | $2,400 | +$4,584 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,500 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,431 | $11,969 | -$538 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,431 | $7,407 | +$4,024 |
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 | 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 costs $538 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,167 in favour of Broughton Vale.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $412 per year.
On public transport the gap is $4,024 per year, $11,431 from Broughton Vale versus $7,407 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 $100 a year, $1,500 against $1,600.
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 | $11,431 | $11,969 | $538 |
| Year 3 | $35,332 | $36,995 | $1,663 |
| Year 5 | $60,689 | $63,545 | $2,856 |
| Year 10 | $131,044 | $137,211 | $6,167 |
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 $11,431 per year versus $11,969 for Broughton Village, a difference of $538 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 Village. No daily public transport commute is assumed from Broughton Vale, so it is costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Broughton Vale and Broughton Village?
At 3% annual cost growth, Broughton Vale costs a cumulative $131,044 and Broughton Village costs $137,211 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,167 in favour of Broughton Vale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Broughton Vale and Broughton Village suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.