True annual cost of living in Barren Grounds, NSW 2577
Living in a house in Barren Grounds costs about $12,644 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Barren Grounds sits 32.4 kilometres from Wollongong CBD. Unit costs come in at $12,594, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,800 body corporate levy. At 32.4km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $4,337 more per year than public transport users.
ATO 91c/km · 32.4km from Wollongong CBD · 192 days
$6,737
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire High
$2,400
Body corporate
Estimated
$1,800
Total annual running cost
$12,644
($1,054/month)
↑ 7% above Kiama average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○5.1/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 56% of Kiama 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 Barren Grounds'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 Barren Grounds
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 2026-08-07. 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 Barren Grounds to Wollongong CBD?
Public transport saves Barren Grounds residents $4,337 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,737 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Barren Grounds?
Barren Grounds falls under Kiama Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,959 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 $1,959 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Barren Grounds?
Running a unit in Barren Grounds costs approximately $12,594 per year by car or $8,257 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,959, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $1,800, and contents insurance of $550. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Barren Grounds close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Barren Grounds. 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 Barren Grounds?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Barren Grounds 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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Data sources: Council rates: Kiama rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Sydney Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data updated 2026-07. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.