Rous vs Wollongbar: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Rous and Wollongbar are both Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in suburbs, sitting 594.8 km and 598.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, 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.
Rous
Wollongbar
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Rous | Wollongbar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,384 | $1,384 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $1,700 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $21,984 | $21,984 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $6,784 | $6,784 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Rous | Wollongbar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
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 — Rous vs Wollongbar (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rous and Wollongbar 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, $6,784 and $6,784 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Rous cumulative | Wollongbar cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $21,984 | $21,984 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $67,950 | $67,950 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $116,716 | $116,716 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $252,022 | $252,022 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rous or Wollongbar cheaper to live in?
Rous is cheaper to run by car at $21,984 per year versus $21,984 for Wollongbar, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Rous and Wollongbar?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Rous (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,384 in Wollongbar (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Rous and $1,300 in Wollongbar. 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 Rous and Wollongbar?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Rous and $17,600 from Wollongbar to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Rous and $2,400 from Wollongbar.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Rous and Wollongbar?
At 3% annual cost growth, Rous costs a cumulative $252,022 and Wollongbar costs $252,022 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Rous. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Rous and Wollongbar 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: Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in and Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in 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.