Broughton Vale vs Bundewallah: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Broughton Vale and Bundewallah are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 107.6 km and 110.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $50 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
Bundewallah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Broughton Vale | Bundewallah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,400 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,897 | $22,847 | +$50 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,697 | $7,647 | +$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Broughton Vale | Bundewallah | 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 — Broughton Vale vs Bundewallah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Broughton Vale and Bundewallah cost within $50 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $573, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $50 per year. Broughton Vale carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,697 and $7,647 a year, so the $50 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Broughton Vale cumulative | Bundewallah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,897 | $22,847 | $50 |
| Year 3 | $70,772 | $70,618 | $154 |
| Year 5 | $121,563 | $121,298 | $265 |
| Year 10 | $262,488 | $261,915 | $573 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Broughton Vale or Bundewallah cheaper to live in?
Bundewallah is cheaper to run by car at $22,847 per year versus $22,897 for Broughton Vale, a difference of $50 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Broughton Vale and Bundewallah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Broughton Vale (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Bundewallah (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Broughton Vale and $1,300 in Bundewallah. 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 Bundewallah?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Broughton Vale and $17,600 from Bundewallah to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Broughton Vale and $2,400 from Bundewallah.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Broughton Vale and Bundewallah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Broughton Vale costs a cumulative $262,488 and Bundewallah costs $261,915 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $573 in favour of Bundewallah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Broughton Vale and Bundewallah 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 Shoalhaven 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.