Burrill Lake vs Woodstock: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Burrill Lake and Woodstock are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Burrill Lake
Woodstock
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burrill Lake | Woodstock | 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 | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $24,547 | $24,547 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,747 | $8,747 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Burrill Lake | Woodstock | 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 — Burrill Lake vs Woodstock (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burrill Lake and Woodstock cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,747 and $8,747 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 is identical at $3,500 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. On these four costs they are identical.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burrill Lake cumulative | Woodstock cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $24,547 | $24,547 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $75,872 | $75,872 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $130,323 | $130,323 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $281,404 | $281,404 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burrill Lake or Woodstock cheaper to live in?
Burrill Lake is cheaper to run by car at $24,547 per year versus $24,547 for Woodstock, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Burrill Lake and Woodstock?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Burrill Lake (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Woodstock (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Burrill Lake and $1,300 in Woodstock. 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 Burrill Lake and Woodstock?
Burrill Lake 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. Woodstock 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 Burrill Lake and $2,400 from Woodstock.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burrill Lake and Woodstock?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burrill Lake costs a cumulative $281,404 and Woodstock costs $281,404 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Burrill Lake. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burrill Lake and Woodstock 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: 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.