Bardwell Park vs Bexley North, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bardwell Park and Bexley North are both Bayside rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 10.5 km and 11.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bardwell Park runs $328 a year cheaper than Bexley North, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,760.
Over 10 years, Bardwell Park costs about $3,800 less to run than Bexley North. That's about $7 a week.
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Bexley North
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bardwell Park | Bexley North | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,265 | $1,265 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,187 | $3,515 | -$328 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,450 | $1,450 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,450 | $7,778 | -$328 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,649 | $6,649 | - |
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: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bardwell Park | Bexley North | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Bardwell Park vs Bexley North (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bardwell Park costs $328 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,760 in favour of Bardwell Park.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $328 per year. Bexley North is 11.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,649 and $6,649 a year, so the $328 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,265 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bardwell Park by $328 a year, $3,187 against $3,515.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,450 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bardwell Park cumulative | Bexley North cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,450 | $7,778 | $328 |
| Year 3 | $23,027 | $24,041 | $1,014 |
| Year 5 | $39,553 | $41,294 | $1,741 |
| Year 10 | $85,406 | $89,166 | $3,760 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bardwell Park or Bexley North cheaper to live in?
Bardwell Park is cheaper to run by car at $7,450 per year versus $7,778 for Bexley North, a difference of $328 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bardwell Park and Bexley North?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,265 in Bardwell Park (Bayside rates (OLG) and $1,265 in Bexley North (Bayside rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bardwell Park and $1,548 in Bexley North. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Bardwell Park and Bexley North?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,187 from Bardwell Park and $3,515 from Bexley North to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Bardwell Park and $2,386 from Bexley North.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bardwell Park and Bexley North?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bardwell Park costs a cumulative $85,406 and Bexley North costs $89,166 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,760 in favour of Bardwell Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bardwell Park and Bexley North suits you better?
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Sources: Bayside rates (OLG and Bayside rates (OLG 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.