Austinville vs Bonogin: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Austinville and Bonogin are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 21.1 km and 18.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bonogin runs $662 a year cheaper than Austinville, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,589.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Austinville
Bonogin
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Austinville | Bonogin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,250 | $4,788 | +$462 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,900 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,878 | $11,216 | +$662 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,820 | $6,620 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Austinville | Bonogin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Austinville vs Bonogin (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bonogin costs $662 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,589 in favour of Bonogin.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $462 per year. Austinville is 21.1 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,820 from Austinville versus $6,620 from Bonogin.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Austinville cumulative | Bonogin cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,878 | $11,216 | $662 |
| Year 3 | $36,714 | $34,668 | $2,046 |
| Year 5 | $63,062 | $59,547 | $3,515 |
| Year 10 | $136,168 | $128,579 | $7,589 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Austinville or Bonogin cheaper to live in?
Bonogin is cheaper to run by car at $11,216 per year versus $11,878 for Austinville, a difference of $662 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Austinville and Bonogin?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Austinville (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Bonogin (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Austinville and $2,169 in Bonogin. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Austinville and Bonogin?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,250 from Austinville and $4,788 from Bonogin to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Austinville and $192 from Bonogin.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Austinville and Bonogin?
At 3% annual cost growth, Austinville costs a cumulative $136,168 and Bonogin costs $128,579 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,589 in favour of Bonogin. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Austinville and Bonogin is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: City of Gold Coast and City of Gold Coast rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.