Burrier vs Illaroo: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Burrier and Illaroo are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 132.3 km and 129 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Burrier runs $650 a year cheaper than Illaroo, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,452.
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 →Burrier
Illaroo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burrier | Illaroo | 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 | $2,850 | $3,500 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,297 | $23,947 | -$650 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,097 | $8,747 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Burrier | Illaroo | 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 — Burrier vs Illaroo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burrier costs $650 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,452 in favour of Burrier.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Illaroo carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $8,097 from Burrier versus $8,747 from Illaroo.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burrier cumulative | Illaroo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,297 | $23,947 | $650 |
| Year 3 | $72,009 | $74,018 | $2,009 |
| Year 5 | $123,687 | $127,138 | $3,451 |
| Year 10 | $267,074 | $274,526 | $7,452 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burrier or Illaroo cheaper to live in?
Burrier is cheaper to run by car at $23,297 per year versus $23,947 for Illaroo, a difference of $650 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Burrier and Illaroo?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Burrier (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Illaroo (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Burrier 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 Burrier and Illaroo?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Burrier and $17,600 from Illaroo to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Burrier and $2,400 from Illaroo.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burrier and Illaroo?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burrier costs a cumulative $267,074 and Illaroo costs $274,526 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,452 in favour of Burrier. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burrier 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.