Bundewallah vs Woodhill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bundewallah and Woodhill are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 41.9 km and 38.5 km from Wollongong CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Woodhill runs $394 a year cheaper than Bundewallah, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,517.
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 →Bundewallah
Woodhill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bundewallah | Woodhill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,973 | $6,979 | -$6 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,220 | $11,826 | +$394 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,647 | $7,247 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bundewallah | Woodhill | 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 — Bundewallah vs Woodhill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Woodhill costs $394 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,517 in favour of Woodhill.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,647 from Bundewallah versus $7,247 from Woodhill.
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 favours Bundewallah by $6 a year, $6,973 against $6,979.
- Building insurance favours Woodhill by $400 a year, $2,000 against $2,400.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Bundewallah against medium in Woodhill, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bundewallah cumulative | Woodhill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,220 | $11,826 | $394 |
| Year 3 | $37,771 | $36,553 | $1,218 |
| Year 5 | $64,878 | $62,786 | $2,092 |
| Year 10 | $140,089 | $135,572 | $4,517 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bundewallah or Woodhill cheaper to live in?
Woodhill is cheaper to run by car at $11,826 per year versus $12,220 for Bundewallah, a difference of $394 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bundewallah and Woodhill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Bundewallah (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Woodhill (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bundewallah and $1,300 in Woodhill. 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 Bundewallah and Woodhill?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,973 from Bundewallah and $6,979 from Woodhill to Wollongong CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bundewallah and $2,400 from Woodhill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bundewallah and Woodhill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bundewallah costs a cumulative $140,089 and Woodhill costs $135,572 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,517 in favour of Woodhill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bundewallah and Woodhill 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.