True annual cost of living in Back Forest, NSW 2535
Living in a house in Back Forest costs about $11,450 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Back Forest sits 49.4 kilometres from Wollongong CBD. Unit costs reach $11,960, with the $1,800 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. The commute is costed by car to Wollongong, at $6,603 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.
About $220 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$11,960
Incl. body corporate
$997/month
About $230 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$510
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Shoalhaven rates
$1,547
Water & sewerage
Estimated Regional NSW estimate
$1,300
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 49.4km from Wollongong CBD · 192 days
$6,603
Home insurance
Estimated flood High · fire Medium
$2,000
Body corporate
Estimated
$1,800
Total annual running cost
$11,450
($954/month, $220/week)
Excludes electricity, estimated separately below.
↓ 47% below Shoalhaven average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○5.5/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 67% of Shoalhaven suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost
typical 2-person household
House
$2,720/yr
6,060 kWh
Unit
$2,209/yr
4,545 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Back Forest's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Getting around Back Forest
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
0
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-11-03. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Back Forest to Wollongong CBD?
Public transport options are limited in Back Forest; driving is the practical commute at $6,603 per year.
What are the council rates in Back Forest?
Back Forest falls under Shoalhaven Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,547 per year for an owner-occupied house, based on OLG data uplifted by the council's IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,547 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Back Forest?
Running a unit in Back Forest costs approximately $11,960 per year by car or $11,960 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,547, water and sewerage $1,300, estimated body corporate levy of $1,800, and contents insurance of $710. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Back Forest close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Back Forest. The running cost on this page assumes driving, which is why the commute component is the largest line for most suburbs in this position.
What shops and parks are in Back Forest?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Back Forest there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 0 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
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Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
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Data sources: Council rates: Shoalhaven rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Regional NSW estimate. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data last verified September 2026. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.