Austinville vs Bonogin, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 Gold Coast CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bonogin runs $628 a year cheaper than Austinville, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,199.
Over 10 years, Bonogin costs about $7,200 less to run than Austinville. That's about $14 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Austinville
Bonogin
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Austinville | Bonogin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,429 | $4,951 | +$478 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $1,950 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,057 | $10,429 | +$628 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,820 | $5,670 | +$150 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Austinville | Bonogin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; 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 $628 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,199 in favour of Bonogin.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $478 per year. Austinville is 21.1 km from Gold Coast CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,820 and $5,670 a year, so the $628 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,359 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,169 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bonogin by $478 a year, $4,951 against $5,429.
- Building insurance favours Bonogin by $150 a year, $1,950 against $2,100.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Austinville cumulative | Bonogin cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,057 | $10,429 | $628 |
| Year 3 | $34,176 | $32,235 | $1,941 |
| Year 5 | $58,703 | $55,369 | $3,334 |
| Year 10 | $126,756 | $119,557 | $7,199 |
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 $10,429 per year versus $11,057 for Austinville, a difference of $628 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $5,429 from Austinville and $4,951 from Bonogin to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/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 $126,756 and Bonogin costs $119,557 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,199 in favour of Bonogin. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Austinville and Bonogin suits you better?
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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.