Brownsville vs Koonawarra: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Brownsville and Koonawarra are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 77.2 km and 79.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $114 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 →Brownsville
Koonawarra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brownsville | Koonawarra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,372 | $3,486 | -$114 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,839 | $9,953 | -$114 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,867 | $8,867 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Brownsville | Koonawarra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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 — Brownsville vs Koonawarra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Brownsville and Koonawarra cost within $114 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,307, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $114 per year. Koonawarra is 79.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,867 and $8,867 a year, so the $114 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,819 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Brownsville by $114 a year, $3,372 against $3,486.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,100 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.
The catchment state school scores 5.3 in Brownsville against 2 in Koonawarra, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brownsville cumulative | Koonawarra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,839 | $9,953 | $114 |
| Year 3 | $30,411 | $30,764 | $353 |
| Year 5 | $52,237 | $52,842 | $605 |
| Year 10 | $112,793 | $114,100 | $1,307 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brownsville or Koonawarra cheaper to live in?
Brownsville is cheaper to run by car at $9,839 per year versus $9,953 for Koonawarra, a difference of $114 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brownsville and Koonawarra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Brownsville (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Koonawarra (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Brownsville and $1,548 in Koonawarra. 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 Brownsville and Koonawarra?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,372 from Brownsville and $3,486 from Koonawarra to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Brownsville and $2,400 from Koonawarra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brownsville and Koonawarra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brownsville costs a cumulative $112,793 and Koonawarra costs $114,100 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,307 in favour of Brownsville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brownsville and Koonawarra 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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.