Harefield vs Wallacetown: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Harefield and Wallacetown are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 18.7 km and 18.3 km from Wagga Wagga CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $225 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.
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 →Harefield
Wallacetown
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Harefield | Wallacetown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,007 | $4,932 | +$75 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $2,000 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,301 | $9,526 | -$225 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,694 | $6,994 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Harefield | Wallacetown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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 — Harefield vs Wallacetown (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Harefield and Wallacetown cost within $225 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,579, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,694 from Harefield versus $6,994 from Wallacetown.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,294 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Wallacetown by $75 a year, $4,932 against $5,007.
- Building insurance favours Harefield by $300 a year, $1,700 against $2,000.
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 medium in Wallacetown against low in Harefield, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Harefield cumulative | Wallacetown cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,301 | $9,526 | $225 |
| Year 3 | $28,748 | $29,444 | $696 |
| Year 5 | $49,380 | $50,575 | $1,195 |
| Year 10 | $106,626 | $109,205 | $2,579 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Harefield or Wallacetown cheaper to live in?
Harefield is cheaper to run by car at $9,301 per year versus $9,526 for Wallacetown, a difference of $225 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Harefield and Wallacetown?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Harefield (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Wallacetown (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Harefield and $1,300 in Wallacetown. 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 Harefield and Wallacetown?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,007 from Harefield and $4,932 from Wallacetown to Wagga Wagga CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Harefield and $2,400 from Wallacetown.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Harefield and Wallacetown?
At 3% annual cost growth, Harefield costs a cumulative $106,626 and Wallacetown costs $109,205 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,579 in favour of Harefield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Harefield and Wallacetown 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: Wagga Wagga rates (OLG and Wagga Wagga 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.