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43.7 km from Wollongong CBD
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True annual cost of living in Berry, NSW 2535

Living in a house in Berry costs about $12,876 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Berry sits 43.7 kilometres from Wollongong CBD. Unit costs come in at $12,286, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,800 body corporate levy. At 43.7km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $4,529 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 89% of Shoalhaven suburbs, about 43% below the regional average.
The commute is the biggest expense at $6,929, roughly 54% of the annual total.
Flood risk is rated high here, which lifts home insurance. Full risk detail is in the free report.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$12,876
Driving · per year
$1,073/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$12,286
Incl. body corporate
$1,024/month
House vs unit difference
−$590
Unit is cheaper 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 · 43.7km from Wollongong CBD · 192 days
$6,929
Home insurance
Estimated · flood High · fire Medium
$3,100
Total annual running cost
$12,876
($1,073/month)
↓ 43% below Shoalhaven average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 6.9/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 89% 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 Berry'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 Berry

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Berry, 1,893 m away, about a 24 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
David Berry Hospital, 1,726 m away, about a 22 minute walk.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
1
Parks
2
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 Berry

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

Public transport saves Berry residents $4,529 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,929 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.

What are the council rates in Berry?

Berry 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 Berry?

Running a unit in Berry costs approximately $12,286 per year by car or $7,757 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 Berry close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Berry is Berry, a train stop about 1,893 m away, about a 24 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What is the closest hospital to Berry?

The closest hospital to the centre of Berry is David Berry Hospital, about 1,726 m away, about a 22 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.

What shops and parks are in Berry?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Berry there are 0 supermarkets, 1 cafe and 2 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.