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Map of Barrengarry
43.0 km from Wollongong CBD
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True annual cost of living in Barrengarry, NSW 2577

Living in a house in Barrengarry costs about $11,796 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Barrengarry sits 43.0 kilometres from Wollongong CBD. Unit costs reach $12,056, with the $1,800 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 43.0km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $4,549 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Shoalhaven Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 99% of Shoalhaven suburbs, about 48% below the regional average.
The commute is the biggest expense at $6,949, roughly 59% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $4,549 a year, a significant saving at this distance.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$11,796
Driving · per year
$983/month
Unit annual cost
$12,056
Incl. body corporate
$1,005/month
House vs unit difference
+$260
Unit costs more per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Shoalhaven rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,547
Water & sewerage
Regional NSW estimate
$1,300
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 43.0km from Wollongong CBD · 192 days
$6,949
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Medium
$2,000
Total annual running cost
$11,796
($983/month)
↓ 48% below Shoalhaven average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 8.3/10 Excellent
Cheaper to run than 99% 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 Barrengarry'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 Barrengarry

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.

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Frequently asked questions about Barrengarry

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Barrengarry to Wollongong CBD?

Public transport saves Barrengarry residents $4,549 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,949 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.

What are the council rates in Barrengarry?

Barrengarry 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 Barrengarry?

Running a unit in Barrengarry costs approximately $12,056 per year by car or $7,507 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 $460. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Barrengarry close to public transport?

No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Barrengarry. 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 Barrengarry?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Barrengarry 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: Shoalhaven rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Regional NSW estimate. 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.