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Map of Berry Mountain
43.6 km from Wollongong CBD
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True annual cost of living in Berry Mountain, NSW 2535

Living in a house in Berry Mountain costs about $11,779 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Berry Mountain sits 43.6 kilometres from Wollongong CBD. Unit costs reach $12,039, with the $1,800 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 43.6km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $4,532 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 $6,932, roughly 59% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $4,532 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
$11,779
Driving · per year
$982/month
Unit annual cost
$12,039
Incl. body corporate
$1,003/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 · 43.6km from Wollongong CBD · 192 days
$6,932
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Medium
$2,000
Total annual running cost
$11,779
($982/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 Berry Mountain'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 Mountain

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Berry, 4,279 m away, about a 53 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
David Berry Hospital, 5,569 m away, about a 70 minute walk.
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 Berry Mountain

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

Public transport saves Berry Mountain residents $4,532 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,932 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.

What are the council rates in Berry Mountain?

Berry Mountain 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 Mountain?

Running a unit in Berry Mountain costs approximately $12,039 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 Berry Mountain close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Berry Mountain is Berry, a train stop about 4,279 m away, about a 53 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 Mountain?

The closest hospital to the centre of Berry Mountain is David Berry Hospital, about 5,569 m away, about a 70 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 Mountain?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Berry Mountain 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.