Buckaroo vs Budgee Budgee: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Buckaroo and Budgee Budgee are both Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 205.3 km and 205.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Budgee Budgee runs $400 a year cheaper than Buckaroo, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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 →Buckaroo
Budgee Budgee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Buckaroo | Budgee Budgee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,122 | $1,122 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,422 | $22,022 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,222 | $6,822 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Buckaroo | Budgee Budgee | 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 — Buckaroo vs Budgee Budgee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Budgee Budgee costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Budgee Budgee.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,222 from Buckaroo versus $6,822 from Budgee Budgee.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Buckaroo cumulative | Budgee Budgee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,422 | $22,022 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $69,304 | $68,068 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $119,041 | $116,918 | $2,123 |
| Year 10 | $257,043 | $252,458 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Buckaroo or Budgee Budgee cheaper to live in?
Budgee Budgee is cheaper to run by car at $22,022 per year versus $22,422 for Buckaroo, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Buckaroo and Budgee Budgee?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,122 in Buckaroo (Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG) and $1,122 in Budgee Budgee (Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Buckaroo and $1,300 in Budgee Budgee. 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 Buckaroo and Budgee Budgee?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Buckaroo and $17,600 from Budgee Budgee to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Buckaroo and $2,400 from Budgee Budgee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Buckaroo and Budgee Budgee?
At 3% annual cost growth, Buckaroo costs a cumulative $257,043 and Budgee Budgee costs $252,458 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Budgee Budgee. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Buckaroo and Budgee Budgee 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.
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Sources: Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG and Mid-Western Regional 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.