Budgong vs Illaroo: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Budgong and Illaroo are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Budgong runs $1,100 a year cheaper than Illaroo, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,610.
Over 10 years, Budgong costs about $12,600 less to run than Illaroo — the same as paying $12,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Budgong
Illaroo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Budgong | Illaroo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $3,500 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,447 | $24,547 | -$1,100 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,647 | $8,747 | -$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Budgong | Illaroo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Budgong vs Illaroo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Budgong costs $1,100 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,610 in favour of Budgong.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Illaroo carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $7,647 from Budgong versus $8,747 from Illaroo.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,547 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Budgong by $1,100 a year, $2,400 against $3,500.
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 the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Illaroo against low in Budgong, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Budgong cumulative | Illaroo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,447 | $24,547 | $1,100 |
| Year 3 | $72,472 | $75,872 | $3,400 |
| Year 5 | $124,483 | $130,323 | $5,840 |
| Year 10 | $268,794 | $281,404 | $12,610 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Budgong or Illaroo cheaper to live in?
Budgong is cheaper to run by car at $23,447 per year versus $24,547 for Illaroo, a difference of $1,100 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Budgong and Illaroo?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Budgong (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Illaroo (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Budgong and $1,300 in Illaroo. 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 Budgong and Illaroo?
Budgong carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Illaroo carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Public transport costs $2,400 from Budgong and $2,400 from Illaroo.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Budgong and Illaroo?
At 3% annual cost growth, Budgong costs a cumulative $268,794 and Illaroo costs $281,404 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,610 in favour of Budgong. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Budgong and Illaroo 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.